Bulldogs Close Out Season
By: Wally Etheridge
The RBS boys were aware that senior night is the most important game on the basketball schedule, therefore they came out smoking last Tuesday night against Trousdale County High School and promptly knocked down four 3-point shots and the Bulldogs never looked back as they coasted to a 72-61 win.
The Bulldogs’ points on this night were spread out, and when that happens you usually win your game. Matt French made two of those four 3-pointers, while Cody Dickens and Matt Brockette made the other two. French scored six more points in the second quarter to help propel the Bulldogs to a 35-17 lead.
The Yellow Jackets would make a run in the third quarter behind the outstanding play of Christian Lauderdale who had 9 points in the quarter while Dylan Hursthad had 7 points, and the Yellow Jackets pulled to within 47-37 by the end of the third quarter. The Yellow Jackets would cut the Bulldog lead down to 8 points midway through the 4th quarter but could get no closer, and the Bulldogs won a very important District 8A contest.
Ty Tuck came off the bench in the third quarter to score five big points as did David Williams. Matt French also had 5 points in the quarter but the big gun in the third quarter was Erin Francis with 15 points. Cody Dickens added four points for the largest output in a quarter in a long time. The Bulldogs made their free throws down the stretch and won this game going away.
Trousdale County made runs at the Bulldogs in the third quarter behind the very talented Christian Lauderdale and Cody Sircy would get hot and make a big push to get the Jackets back in this game. But on this night, the Bulldogs had no trouble finishing this game off.
Bulldog scoring totals: Matt French – 22 points, Erin Francis – 20 points, David Williams -12 points, Cody Dickens – 7 points, Ty Tuck – 5 points, Zack Roberts and Matt Brockette – each had 3 points.
Trousdale County scoring: Christian Lauderdale – 23points, Dylan Hurst – 15 points, Cody Sircy -15 points, John Oglesby and Heath Woodard – 4 points each.
The Red Boiling Springs Bulldogs were looking to end their regular season on a high note going into the start of district play tonight as they took on the Tigers of Gordonsville. The Bulldogs were very competitive but the Tigers were just to strong and the Bulldogs head into district 8A play tonight with a lot to prove and where every game could be your last one.
The Bulldogs fell behind by ten points after the first quarter and then played the Tigers even for the last 3 quarters. The Bulldogs have had a pattern of falling behind early and then mounting a comeback but tonight that did not unfold. A nice bright spot for the Bulldogs was the play of Matt French and David Williams as they combined for 25 of the bulldogs 41 points. The Bulldogs trailed 32-16 at the half but a comeback was not totally out of the question because these kids have been playing their best basketball of the season here late in the season.
The Bulldogs could never sustain any kind of a comeback on this night because Gordonsville was outstanding on both ends of the court in this game. Early in the fourth quarter the Bulldogs cut the lead down to 6 points but could get no closer. The Bulldogs were a respectable 15 of 22 from the charity stripe while holding the Tigers to only 4 of 5 from the charity stripe.
Coach Owens kids always play their best ball late in the season and with the district 8A tournament starting tonight in the MCHS gym these kids will not be a easy out. Look for the Bulldogs to make some noise this week.
Scoring totals for RBS: Matt French-13 points, David Williams – 12 points, Erin Francis and Cody Dickens – 5 points each and Matt Brockette and Nick Deckard – 3 points each.
