Bob Jones ends season after losing heartbreaker to Sparkman, 49-46

Makaylla Bullard surveys the Sparkman defense in the Class 7A, Area 8 basketball tournament at Hazel Green Feb. 4. Despite Bullard’s 12 points, Bob Jones fell to Sparkman 49 – 46 to end the Patriots’ season. (Record Photo/Nick Sellers)

By Nick Sellers | Staff Writer

HAZEL GREEN – It was more of the same competitiveness for the Bob Jones girls basketball team against Sparkman on Feb. 4. The Patriots split the regular-season series with the Senators, beating Sparkman 40-37 on their home court Jan. 6 before losing the away contest two weeks ago.

In the Area tournament matchup, though – the one that counted most – Bob Jones wasn’t able to pull out a victory, losing 49-46 to the Senators at host site Hazel Green.

The score was neck-and-neck throughout, with Patriot sophomore Makaylla Bullard lobbing up a three-pointer as the first period expired to help Bob Jones to a 12–9 lead going into the second period.

Bob Jones was able to lead 15-11 in the second period, but Sparkman fought back to tie it at 17–17, where it remained for a while before the Patriots managed a 24–22 lead at halftime.

The Senators went ahead 32–27 in the third period before the Patriots went on a 10–0 run. Sparkman wasn’t done, though, and got within two with 5:31 to go. Minutes later, the teams were tied at 43–43, and then 45–45.

Sparkman hit the go–ahead basket and, later, a free throw with 42.2 seconds left to go up by three points. Bob Jones couldn’t get a field goal, fouled the Senators with nine seconds left, and fell 49–46.

“It’s tough, man,” head coach Andre Reynolds said. “These girls, I’d say we were probably not the most athletic, but they’d come in and fight every single day and I just thanked them for doing that every single night.”

The Patriots were 5–19 from the free-throw line on the evening, while Sparkman was twice as good, going 10–19.

“In practice we’ve been shooting 70, 67 percent but in a big game, I guess with the pressure we just got a little tight.”

Amy Maynard was the only senior to score in the game, contributing nine points. Senior Rachel Murray grabbed three rebounds, while senior Emily Thomason, a key force inside all season, did not dress out.

Bullard, a sophomore, led Bob Jones with 12 points, while junior Tyler Fredericks chipped in 10 points and sophomore Lauren Senwo had six.

“We’re not discrediting anything from this year, but I think the future’s bright for us,” Reynolds said. “We’re going to keep working.”