Bob Jones girls roll on, stay perfect with win over Decatur
Rachel Murray controls the ball against Decatur
(RECORD PHOTO/LINDSAY VAUGHT)
MADISON- Coach Danny Petty got contributions from just about every player on his team as the Lady Patriots remained unbeaten with a 55-20 victory over Decatur Tuesday night.
The Patriots pressing defense was led by Rachel Murray and resulted in steals and easy baskets as they raced out to an 18-6 lead after one quarter.
Decatur cut the lead to 24-16 at the half but that was as close as they would get.
Bob Jones outscored Decatur 20-1 in the third quarter. Meredith Lovelady started the run with a three point basket. Kyanna Leslie had a steal and score. Ashley McKay scored six points in the third quarter.
Sydney Booker returned for her first regular season game since shoulder surgery and played the fourth quarter scoring six points. Rachel Murray has been the starting point guard this season.
McKay led Bob Jones with 13 points followed by Lovelady and Chandler Elder with 8 points each.
“This team plays together well and we just have to keep everybody on the same page,” Petty said. “Ashley came out ready to play. Chandler Elder played her usual solid game. Kyonna had one of her best games.”
The Bob Jones girls now go to Hazel Green for the area opener Friday night with a definite undertone lingering. The Lady Patriots will face two former teammates; Nadia Stewart and Jada Dale who transferred to Hazel Green. Another former teammate, Chloe Long, is on Hazel Green’s roster but is ineligible until the second semester. Hazel Green is coached by Tim Miller, former Bob Jones coach.
“The big thing about Friday night is it’s an area game. We have to go over there stay focused and not get caught up in all the hype, just play hard and play our game and we will be all right,” Petty said.
Petty said that Bob Jones will try to run and so far this season no team has slowed them down.
“We get up and down the floor. You always want to push it down the floor the key is making good decisions when you get to the basket. We got depth on this team. We got good ball handlers we’re just not that big. We shoot and pass the ball well and get after it on defense.”
One of the keys at Hazel Green will be high-scoring senior Meredith Lovelady. She has hit for 23 and 17 points in games so far this season. She is one of two seniors who played for Miller as sophomores.
“We’re excited, it’s a big game but we’re going to keep our emotions off and just play it like its any other team,” Lovelady said of facing her former teammates and former coach.
“We are all competitive players so it is going to be fun.”
Bob Jones is now 6-0.
