The Valley Chronicle - Lady Bulldogs outrun Cougarsng

Girls basketball: Hemet were up to the challenge against Beaumont, winning 54-43

[caption id="attachment_15793" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Photo by Corey Evan
The Lady Bulldogs would have to work hard to distance themselves from visiting Beaumont.[/caption] ■ By Corey Evan / Reporter Many high schoolers are perfectly happy staying inside where it’s warm during winter break. But others would rather be out playing basketball. Such is true for the Hemet High School girls basketball team. After taking time off with their families, could they possibly fathom competition from the Beaumont Lady Cougars? The Bulldogs showed that they were up for the challenge, scoring five points before Beaumont got on the board. In her efforts to keep up, Cougar Crisdany Cooper suffered a sprain which led to her coaches walking her off the court. Even without her, the Cougars worked hard to keep up with Hemet and even took the lead 11-9 by the end of the first quarter. This didn’t faze the Bulldogs, who clawed their way back in quarter two and took a six point lead of 28-22 going into halftime. While both teams re-hydrated, the “Bulldogs’ Finest” dance team treated audiences to some moves while some treated themselves to carne asada tacos and nachos. Both teams got off to a slow start in the third quarter, but the Bulldogs would come around and put up a challenge for Beaumont. Hemet would add 11 points to their tally, Beaumont six. Despite fouls flying across the court, both teams scored double digits in the final quarter and made for an exciting final minute of gameplay. Through it all, the Bulldogs came up and trumped with a final score of 54-43. Bulldog Coach Isaac Heggins says his girls have to talk to each other if they want a shot at league: “It was tough! We had to pull away in the third and make sure we kept playing defense and talk. Communication was key in this game.” Heggins also pointed out the Cougars were tough today and are known for being so, especially under coach Pete Carr whom he describes as a “very respectable” coach. The top Bulldog scorer in this game was Senior Mariah Sanchez with a healthy 18 points. The two runner-ups were Senior Haley Suarez who dropped in 14 and Junior Nailah Love with a very lucky seven. With tonight’s win, Hemet’s girls are currently 1-1 in Mountain Pass League and 13-6 for the season, Beaumont 0-2 and 7-11 as of press time.