Lady Bulldogs drop district contest to Orangefield 77-42
By GEORGIA PURDY Newsboy correspondent

The Jasper Lady Bulldogs suffered their second district loss, this time to state ranked Orangefield, Dec. 11. The Lady Bobcats, ranked number 14 by the TABC, downed Jasper 77-42.

"We played a great first quarter, trailing by only two points, 14 - 12," coach Joe Baker said. "Our girls handled the press fine in the first quarter, but began to turn the ball over too many times. Orangefield is a fine team, and they cause you to do things you don't want to do."

First quarter play saw Jasper lead 9-6 and later 12-11, but Orangfield came back with a three-pointer to finish in the plus column.

The Lady Bobcats took the lead in the second quarter and continued to build on it.

"They pressed us hard and forced a lot of turnovers," player Brittany Goff said.

Shalithia Middleton scored 16 points, followed by Breeunna Hafford, 10; and Courtney Baker, eight.

"The team never quit," Baker said. "Shalethia Middleton had an outstanding game. When you play Orangefield, you can't turn the ball over the way we did.

The Lady 'Dogs played Bridge City last night and will face Hamshire-Fannett on the road Friday night.

"Bridge city is a must win game for us, then we must go and play a tough Hamshire- Fannett team," Baker said. "I believe that the team will respond well this week, and hopefully by the end of the week we'll be at .500. The third spot in this district is wide open so we must get back into the race for that spot. It's not going to be easy, but I believe that this team got the picture last Tuesday. I stress to them that district play is what matters, and we must beat the team that we are expected to beat, and put forth more effort to beat the elite teams in this district. Our goal now is to win out the rest of the way, I believe that this team has what it takes to get the job done."