BCMS Basketball Paving the Road
Zaeleigh Russ takes the ball up through contact against the Edmonson County Lady Cats. PHOTO | Greg Moore
By Greg Moore
Banner Sports Editor
It has been an advanced learning experience for the BCMS Lady Bears as they continue to thrust forward into the season after two weeks of game action. From the moment they step onto the court, these young Lady Bears get after it for the full length, pressing nearly the entire game and a motion offense, while crashing the boards relentlessly. First year Head Coach Stacy Phelps has clearly stressed the importance of active hands, also.
Not only are the 7th and 8th grade teams racking up wins, but the very young Lady Bears also took a sixth grade team to Edmonson County to bring home the main hardware. Zaeleigh Russ and Marley Phelps were selected as the tournament’s MVPs while the entire group represented with heart and determination throughout.
Recently, the 7th and 8th teams picked up dominant GRVC wins over Edmonson County. After sputtering early on, down 6-0, the younger team bounced back on the Lady Cats; they never let up until Coach Phelps called her ferocious attack of Lady Bears off the visiting neighbors, winning 22-12.
The older group never allowed the Lady Cats so much as a sniff of winning. Using a 25-point run, they were cruising 32-6 at the intermission to go onto a 42-15, no-doubter.
The 8th grade team also picked up wins over Logan and Muhlenberg Counties, winning 34-20 in Russellville and 35-25 blessing at the Berg. A strong start at Logan helped maintain a narrow margin until a ten-point run; however, the Lady Bears had to dig back from a 13-15 deficit to the Lady Mustangs. A dominant third period (12-0) helped seal the deal.
While the successes are clearly evident on the court, Coach Phelps and Coach Josh Belcher emphasize the understanding of the game while helping develop the areas of growth for the team as a whole and individual’s own skill set.
Shooting is an area that has its own focal point; it can be witnessed when these girls use their non-dominant hand to release the basketball when they’re supposed to. The work going into today’s practices will pay dividends as this group matures. Hopefully, from that, BCHS will be feasting on the successes of Lady Bears basketball.
