On Friday, Feb. 20, the Lady Crimson’s varsity basketball team dominated in a rivalry match against the Male Bulldogs. The final score was 75-34.
First half:
Male won the tip off, but the Lady Crimsons recovered quickly and got the ball back to the other side of the court. London Bibb (#20, 12) made a layup to get the first points of the game. Male responded with a layup, but that didn’t stop the Lady Crimsons. They attempted multiple baskets but Male fouled on them, so Brooklyn Davis (#24, 12) was given a free throw. She made one, but Manual rebounded the second to earn two more points.
Takenzie Young (#1, 10) assisted Davis in scoring a basket after an intense steal from Male. The Bulldogs defended aggressively, leading Kendall Hemmerle (#12, 11) to receive a free throw, and she made both. Male made another basket two minutes into the quarter but Davis promptly scored.
The Bulldogs called for a timeout. When play resumed, Ahmari Brice (#0, 10) got the first three-pointer of the game. A bit later, the Lady Crimsons called for their first timeout of the game with three minutes left of the quarter.
After the second restart, Jermiya Bracken (#11, 10) shot two, back-to-back three pointers. Male made their third basket with only about a minute left. Amaria Pegues (#23, 10) was fouled on but still made the shot, so she was given a single free throw, which she made. Davis made a three pointer, and Young made a layup at the last second. The score at the end of the first quarter was 29-6.
The second quarter had a slow start, due to great defense from both sides. However, the Lady Crimsons had an edge. Hemmerle and Bracken made multiple baskets early on. Young also had an early three pointer and layup, bringing the score to 42-6.
Male responded with two shots, but the Lady Crimsons were extending their lead, with Young making two back-to-back three pointers. There was a short dry spell for points because of intense defending, but both Emery Haskins (#4, 9) and Pegues were given free throws. They each made one, leading to the end of the second quarter. The score was 50-16 going into halftime.
Second Half:
Young started the half off with an early basket. Male was given free throws, and made both, but the Lady Crimsons responded quickly. Bracken made a three pointer. Davis was fouled on, and given free throws. She made both and immediately had another layup. A timeout was called to regroup. The third quarter ended with a score of 63-22.
Both teams started the final quarter with making goals, bringing the score to 67-28. The ball was carried back and forth across the court, but there was another short dry spell in points. Autumn Miller (#15, 9) ended this spell with her fourth goal of the quarter. The final score of the game was 75-34, in favor of the Lady Crimsons.
After the game concluded head coach Ashley Franklin was celebrated for earning her 200th career win.
“I feel amazing, they really got me. I didn’t check my number, so I’m really excited,” Franklin said. “The team played amazing tonight, they did a really good job. They paid attention to everything we told them to do, and I’m really proud.”
The Lady Crimsons next game is district tournaments on Tuesday, Feb. 24. The game will be held at Central High School against Francis Parker, with tip off set to start at 6 p.m.
