Jasper drops district game to Hardin-Jeff
By GEORGIA PURDY Newsboy Correspondent

Newsboy photo/Georgia Purdy JASPER'S ANNA NATION battles a Silsbee defender for a loose ball during last week's district contest. Silsbee defeated Jasper 60-49.

The Jasper Lady Bulldogs played tough against Silsbee Friday night before the Lady Tigers pulled out of reach in the fourth quarter, resulting in a 60-49 loss. Earlier in the week, they faced Hardin- Jefferson, ending that contest in a 69-19 deficit.

"The Silsbee game was a tough one to lose. The team fought really hard and I'm very proud of them," Coach Joe Baker said. "When we lose four key players to fouls it really hurt us. We lost Anna Nation, Shalethia Middleton, Breunna Hafford, and Malsasia Kelly. I was very impressed with our hustle, and composure."

Jasper got on board first, up 4-0 before dropping behind 14-11 at the end of the first quarter.

In the second period, they went ahead 15-14, but missed several shots in a row and committed an unforced turnover to give Silsbee a 16-15 edge. The Lady 'Dogs came back to tie the game 17-17 and then went ahead 19-18 and 21-20 before dropping behind 28-23 by the end of the first half.

Newsboy photo/Georgia Purdy MICHELLE WALLACE finds her path to the basket slowed by a Silsbee defender.

After several more missed buckets and fouls, the Lady Tigers were up 37-33 in the third quarter before Jasper challenged again, pulling to within 2 points, but an overthrown pass allowed Silsbee to go up 40-35 by the end of the period.

The Lady 'Dogs held on in the fourth to stay within two points but Silsbee retained the upper hand on free throws while Jasper's misses were costly. Dropping eight points behind, it was impossible to catch up in the last few minutes of the game.

Anna Nation was top scorer with 19 points, followed by Courtney Baker, 10, Shalethia Middleton, seven; Malsasia Kelly, six; Michelle Wallace, three; Brandi Goff and Breunna Hafford, two each.

It was simply 'no contest' against Hardin-Jefferson. The Lady Hawks held Jasper scoreless in the first quarter, then allowed only eight, seven, and two points in subsequent periods.

" I really believe that seeing what every team had in the first half of district play will benefit us for the second half of district play," Baker said. "We will learn for our mistakes and correct them so that we can get the results that we are looking for as a team and that is to win ball games. The keys for success in the rest of our games will be playing with intensity for four quarters and shooting freethrows."

Jasper began the second round of district play against Kirbyville last night and will be at home Friday against Orangefield. Junior varsity begins at 5 p.m. with varsity to follow.