Bulldog Basketball
Author: Gary Bauman, MT43 News Sports Correspondent
Bulldog Basketball
Gary Bauman
MT43 News Sports Correspondent
Lady Bulldogs turn up the pressure.
On Friday the Townsend Lady Bulldogs made quick work of the Shields Valley Lady Rebels by a score of 45 to 28. Sparked by sophomore Emmalin Fischer, who had 5 steals and 5 rebounds to go with her 7 points, the Bulldogs' full-court press was too much for the Rebels to handle. “Fischer was a key player, especially on offense with her ability to handle the ball and find areas in Shields Valley’s defense,” Coach David Lawson said.
It was a high-paced game with both teams wanting to keep up with their press which led to a total of 51 total turnovers combined. That ultimately favored the Bulldogs as they started to pull away in the second quarter with a lead of 20-10. “Our press was very effective in keeping Shields Valley’s guards in some uncomfortable situations,” Coach Lawson stated. “Our girls understand that in order to get us going, we need to have a defense-to-offense mindset first.”
Townsend Shields Valley
7 4
20 10
33 19
45 28
Holly Newman 10, Emmalin Fischer 7, Kaitlyn Noyes 7, Ella Begger 7, Cassidy Flynn 4, Madelyn Schritz 4, Jazel Ragen 3, Bryleigh Erickson 2, Mishayla Lambott 1
Bulldog Boys fall to the Sheridan Panthers
Friday night the Townsend boys fell victim to the half-court match-up zone defense of the Sheridan Panthers, losing 32-48. 6' 3" Panther senior Cade Cathey was just too much for the Bulldogs, scoring 19 of the team’s 48 points while collecting 10 rebounds and 8 assists.
Both teams sat back into their half-court zone defenses making it difficult for the offenses to find rhythm early. They combined for just 10 total points in the first quarter with the Bulldogs down by 4. By halftime, Ryedan Reed hit a couple of key shots to keep the Bulldogs' hopes alive within 5 at the half. Reed’s effort would not be enough, finishing with 10 points and 4 assists, as the Bulldogs could not keep pace in the 3rd quarter, being outscored 18-5.
Townsend Sheridan
3 7
11 16
16 34
32 48
Ryedan Reed 10, Tavyn Anderson 7, Peyton Toney 5, Deegan Mattson 4, Grady Erickson 4, Sawyer Horne 2
Bulldogs lose a heartbreaker to Whitehall
Saturday the Bulldogs lost a heartbreaker to the Whitehall Trojans 53-56. The Dogs started off on fire building a 1st half lead to as much as 14 led by Grady Erickson scoring 12 of his 16 total points, but the second half was a different story.
The Trojans, led by Ashton Pocelon who netted 15 with 4 threes, went 9 of 14 from the field in the final quarter and a half to make up a 19-point deficit. The Dogs couldn’t buy a basket missing 14 straight field goal opportunities.
On the bright side, Erickson had a great night, having 6 offensive boards to go with his 16 points. The leading rebounder in the game was Deegan Mattson for the Bulldogs, with 12 boards to go with his 13 points. “Deegan Mattosn and Grady Erickson were our highest rebounders and most efficient scorers,” Coach Tyler Patrick said.
“Losing back-to-back nights at home is never a great feeling, however, our coaching staff and boys know what we are capable of if we put all four quarters together,” coach Patrick added. “That is part of the struggle of being a young team, you make mistakes that more experienced teams don’t make. Our guys will use it as a learning experience.”
Townsend Whitehall
15 6
32 24
48 34
53 56
Grady Erickson 16, Deegan Mattson 13, Ryedan Reed 12, Sawyer Horne 8, Tavyn Anderson 3
Lady Dogs’ balanced attack is too much for Whitehall
The Lady Dogs put 4 girls into double digits to secure a win over the Whitehall Trojans, improving their record to 3-1. Led by Holly Newman’s 11 points, Kaitlyn Noyes’ 11 and 7 rebounds, Ella Begger’s 10 points, 6 assists and 5 steals, and Cassidy Flynn’s 10 points and 10 rebounds, the Lady Dogs won 57-35.
The Trojans couldn’t break through the Bulldog half-court defense at all in the first quarter, not recording a single field goal in 10 attempts, finding themselves down 15-3 in the first and 26-14 at the half. Julia Hogaland led the Trojans scoring by getting to the free throw line and making 8 out of 9 getting a total of 14 points, but the Lady Dogs never faltered.
Townsend Whitehall
15 3
26 14
43 28
57 35
Kaitlyn Noyes 11, Holly Newman 11, Ella Begger 10, Cassidy Flynn 10, Jazel Ragen 6, Bryleigh Erickson 3, Emmalin Fischer 3, Madelyn Schritz 3
Madelyn Schritz 3
