Bob Jones girls stay unbeaten
Lindsey Jennings
The Bob Jones girls are surprising even themselves with their success so far this season. Despite losing four players from last year who now play basketball in college, the team is 5-0 under new head Coach Danny Petty. With floor leader Lindsey Jennings showing the way, the strong supporting cast defeated Decatur 40-35 Thursday night at home.
Also this week on Tuesday night the Lady Patriots picked up a road win at Grissom 46-18 as Jennings and Chandler Elder both scored double digits.
Against Decatur,Jennings scored right on her average of 15 points per game followed by newcomer Karly Flores with 7. Elder and Nadia Stewart had 5 each. Bob Jones built a 25 13 halftime lead and saw Decatur climb back into the game in the second half. The Red Raiders got as close as 31-27 as turnovers were a problem for Bob Jones in the second half.
Jada Dale hit two free throws with 6.5 seconds left to seal the win.
“People aren’t expecting us to be as good this year because we don’t have Jasmine Jones and the other great players from last year but we’re proving every body wrong right now,” said Jennings, a 5-foot-8 senior.
Jennings is holding several offers to play basketball in college but said that she will wait for just the right offer.
“I will let the season play out and wait for the offer that I want,” she said.
Last season,Jennings averaged 8 points per game. Head Coach Danny Petty will need more than that from her this season and so far she is delivering, averaging 15 points per game.
“So far I think I am playing well but I could be better. I am one of the only seniors so I know I have to step up and do more,” she said.
All the players are still adjusting to playing for new coach Danny Petty who coached the boys last year.
“It’s different,”Jennings said of playing for Petty. “We don’t have the same plays and we had to change everything. Like tonight Decatur came out in a press and we weren’t expecting it and we just have to work through that.”
Besides Jennings and Chandler Elder, Nadia Stewart is the only returning guard who has experience on varsity. Sidney Booker is back playing basketball after not playing last season. Starters Anna Robertson, Jada Dale, Ashley McKay are in their first year on the varsity.
According to Jennings, the newcomers “are doing good but sometimes the game is going too fast for them but they just have to get used to it.” Case in point was several passes thrown high over the heads of teammates. The turnovers allowed Decatur to close the gap.
The girls will not play at home again until after Thanksgiving. Then they will be tested as Florence comes in on November 27 and Austin on November 30.
Bob Jones will play at Sparkman on Friday December 14 in what is now an area game.
