Bob Jones girls roll past James Clemens

Chandler Elder drives for Bob Jones against James Clemens
(PHOTO CONTRIBUTED/FLOYD PARKS)

MADISON- Bob Jones continued to steamroll opponents as they dominated cross town rival James Clemens 53-18 Thursday night before a big crowd at Bob Jones gym.

The new starting lineup coach Danny Petty has rolled out this season has played near flawless through the first 3 games and is still undefeated.

Chandler Elder returned to the lineup but it was another senior, Meredith Lovelady who stole the show. Lovelady was spot on from behind the arc as several college coaches looked on. Lovelady poured in 17 first quarter points including hitting five of seven three-point shots.

The early barrage staked Bob Jones to a 19-4 first quarter lead and 28-7 at halftime.

“All the girls are playing together well,” Petty said. “It’s early we still got a long ways to go.

“It’s not surprising,” Petty said of Lovelady. “She has always shot the ball well. She scored 23 points against Grissom in the opening game.”

Lovelady’s fast start comes after missing most of last season with a variety of injuries. She also missed a lot of summer work with the team.

Meredith Lovelady
(FILE PHOTO)

“It motivates me more to get out there,” Lovelady said of the time missed last year.

“Our whole team has been working hard and I have been working hard individually. Me being a senior I want to be a leader too.

I was ready to play and I felt like I had a lot to prove,” Lovelady said of the James Clemens game. “We can’t overlook anybody. I feel like I can play even better.”

Lovelady still has some knee pain and Petty manages her minutes.

“It’s just something I have to push through. It’s more of a mental thing. It’s not going to go away or get better. Sometimes Coach Petty will sub for me and then get me right back in.”

Lovelady wants to play at the next level but for now is enjoying a stellar season with teammates such as Chandler Elder and Anna Robertson who she has been playing with since the fifth grade.

“I’m excited to be playing with my teammates this season. I do want to play at the next level but for now I am just going to keep working and hopefully if I get any looks just see where it goes.”