Bob Jones girls beat Sparkman 37-34

Emily Thomason (10) posts up against Bob Jones Area foe Sparkman. (Record Photo/Nick Sellers)

By Nick Sellers | Staff Writer

MADISON – Despite falling behind for much of the game, The Bob Jones girls varsity basketball team was never out of it against the visiting Sparkman Senators Jan. 6, which paid off in the fourth period.

Despite jumping on top of the Senators early 7-4, Sparkman overtook the Patriots and led 10-7 at the end of the first period. Sparkman eventually took a 12-8 lead in the second period, but Amy Maynard’s three-pointer kept the score within one. The Patriots were able to briefly regain the lead at 16-14 with 2:43 to go before halftime, but Sparkman retook the lead, 17-16, at the half.

Overall, Bob Jones displayed a solid defensive effort against a clearly taller Sparkman team.

“I’ll credit our girls for playing good defense,” Bob Jones head coach Andre Reynolds said. “I thought our girls played good, solid defense when I saw we were being stretched.”

Sparkman once again took a four-point lead in the third period, but a Maynard three-pointer cut the Senators’ lead within one.

The fourth period was a defensive struggle in keeping with the rest of the game. Bob Jones eventually took a 36-32 lead and held Sparkman to several mini scoring droughts, even when the Senators came within two points, at 36-34.

Tyler Fredericks blocked a sure Sparkman layup with 15 seconds left to preserve the lead, and the Patriots walked out of their home gym with a three-point win over their Area rival.

“We had some key rebounds,” Reynolds said. “I think Emily Thomason had her best game of the season. She did a good job of rebounding for us.”

Thomason finished with eight points. K.K. Bullard, a sophomore, led the Patriots with 10 points in the game.