Jackson Co, Pickett Co Sweep Red Boiling Springs

This past week Jackson County and Pickett County swept both the girls and boys teams at Red Boiling Springs.

Jackson County and Red Boiling Springs have played each other since the late forties and last Thursday night the Bulldogs traveled to Jackson County knowing that both games would require a great effort to get a victory. The Lady Bulldogs gave a great effort but the Lady Devils defeated the Lady Bulldogs by a final score of 45-33.

Before a near sell-out crowd the Lady Blue Devils jumped out 8 nothing and finished the first quarter with a 17-9 lead. The Lady Bulldogs have been getting off to slow starts the last couple of weeks and that was the case against the Lady Blue Devils.The Lady Bulldogs once again had trouble getting the ball up court and that can be attributed to the defense of the Lady Blue Devils who play defense with a in your face attitude, forciing 12 turnovers in the first half. The Lady Blue Devils led this game at halftime 23-17 as their lost shooting touch kept this game within reach. Lady Bulldogs fans were hoping things would change in the second half but that hope went out the window as they managed only 16 points while the Lady Blue Devils scored 22 second half points and won this game 45-33.

The scoring totals for the Lady Bulldogs-Cayley Tuck-14 points-Hannah Smith-9 points-Maggie Isenberg-4 points-while Tamara Murphy and 8th grader Kennedy Fleming each scored 3 points.

The boys game was close all the way but the Bulldogs were never able to close the gap that the Blue Devils had and trailed only 15-14 after the first quarter. The Bulldogs went inside to Jordan Powell and he responded by scoring 12 first quarter points. The Blue Devils had no answer for Powell until they started to double team him and that allowed Bulldog Chance Asberry to knock down two shots from long distance. If the Bulldogs can find a way to stop Jackson County on the offensive end then they have a good chance of stealing a win. The Bulldogs trailed at halftime 32-25.

The Bulldogs managed to find Powell in the third quarter and he once again responded but the Bulldogs could not find a way to slow down the Blue Devils and trailed by 10 points going into the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter was all Powell and Asberry. The effort by the Bulldogs was their best in the last few games but beating Jackson County on their floor was just too tall of a order and as the horn sounded the Bulldogs lost 65-56. Everyone on the Bulldog bench was pleased with the effort.

Bulldog scoring totals-Jordan Powell with a career high 31 points-Chance Asberry-18 points-Justin Bergdorff-4 points-Byfield-3 points.Hunter Kirk along with Wesley Fleming and Josh Tirjan all played but failed to score.

Pickett County made the long trip to the Dog Pound last Saturday night representing the 7A district. RBS found out why they are seeded so high as the Lady Bobcats put a spanking on the Lady Bulldogs by a final score of 74-40.

The Lady Bulldogs fell behind in the first quarter by a score of 19-11 but never made a serious run at the Lady Bobcats as once again the turnover bug was the major problem. Hannah Smith made 2 three pointers but the Lady Bobcats put the clamps on her and she managed just 2 points for the rest of the game. Playing two games back to back did not help in the fatigue factor as the Lady Bulldogs were just worn out. The Lady Bobcats led this game at halftime by a score of 36-19 and coasted out to a 56-30 third quarter lead and as both teams cleared their bench early in the fourth quarter.

The Lady Bulldogs brought up 4 eight graders and Kennedy Fleming is letting it be known that she is ready to step up and make her presence known. Fleming scored 8 points in a reserve role including 3 baskets plus 2 points from the charity stripe. ady Bulldogs that played but failed to score were-Abby Tuck-Alexis Ouellette-Amber McCarter-Kaylena Hatcher-Desirae Hallfrish-Hailey Davis-Briley Morgan and Kailey Holland.

Last Saturday night was Senior night and that is a special night for the kids including the Cheerleaders and managers. Alexis Ouellette, Hannah Smith, Madison Medrano, Ian Pandorf, Wesley Fleming, Chance Asberry, and Jase Bohanon all members of the Class of 2016 that we will miss. We wish you all the very best and a final piece of advice, ‘Get yourself a college Education, no one can ever take it from you.’

The boys game was a blowout from the first quarter on as Pickett County was just as advertised. In my opinion they were the best boys team to visit the Dog Pound all year. The Bobcats jumped out to a 27-5 first quarter lead and the Bobcats kept the pressure on until midway of the fourth quarter and for what reason I will never know. This game was over at halftime as the scoreboard showed the Bobcats with a 50-23 lead but they kept the pressure on for way to long.

The Bulldogs will open district play tonight (tue.16th at 7:P.M.) at home against Merrol Hyde with the winner advancing to Gordonsville to play Watertown.

The scoring totals for this game-Chance Asberry-13 pointsJordan Powell-11 points-Elijah Byfield 7 points-Hunter Kirk-6 points while the following players each scored 2 points-Justin Bergdorff-Wesley Fleming-Josh Tirjan-Dustin Bergdorff-Those that played but did not score-Ian Pandorf-Kendall Thompson-Jared Hatcher.