Lady Bears dart past Bridge City

[KFDM COOP]

Lady Bears dart past Bridge City

Gabe Pruett

The Orange Leader

LITTLE CYPRESS — Amanda Ellerbee finally has the team speed she has been looking for in her two years at Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School.

The Lady Bears used the speed to cause 33 turnovers in a 54-37 victory over the Bridge City Lady Cardinals.

Ashley Anderson scored 12 points to go with three rebounds in limited action due to early foul trouble to pace the Lady Bears (1-1) attack.

Bridge City’s Lauren Angelle led her team with 12 points to go with five steals and seven rebounds. The Lady Cardinals are now 0-2 on the young season.

The game was tight until mid-way in the second period when LC-M went on a 10-0 run to take a 23-17 lead.

Nardis McBride had five points in the run and ended the night with nine points and six boards.

Bridge City’s Jordan Royal drained a three a little later to make it 26-22 but LC-M’s Katie Harrell hit a free throw to make the half-time score 27-22.

“We played hard tonight,†Ellerbee said. “It was a team effort. I told them tonight was the first time I have seen us get a lead and then keep it. Last year we would get up 15 points and end up losing. Everyone played their part tonight and that is a good sign early on.â€

The two teams were tied at 11 after the first period.

Bridge City opened a 4-0 lead to start the game as both McBride and Anderson each had two fouls with 5:35 left in the first period.

LC-M then scored the game’s next six points to take a 6-4 lead.

Bridge City was then able to build a 7-6 lead on a free throw from Bailee Viator and a pair of freebies from Cassie Carr.

Ellen Williams of LC-M, who finished with eight points and six boards, then ripped a three and Taylor Thompson connected on two free throws as LC-M lead 11-7.

Bridge City closed out the first quarter scoring as Sam West, who had a game-high 15 rebounds to go with nine points, hit a shot and was followed by a shot from Jenna Angelle. Jenna Angelle would end the night with six points, five steals and eight rebounds.

The Lady Bears then doubled up the Lady Cardinals in the third quarter by outscoring the visitors 12-6.

In one stretch Anderson scored six straight points as LC-M opened a 33-23 advantage.

Lauren Angelle ended the Lady Cardinals’ bleeding with a bucket of her own.

Anderson went on to score nine points in the third frame as LC-M took a 39-28 lead into the fourth period.

LC-M was then able to outscore Bridge City 15-9 in the final eight minutes.

Lauren Angelle was the leading scorer in the fourth with five points, three coming off free throws.

“We really need to get our defense where it needs to be in these non-district games,†Ellerbee said. “Our focus will be on our rotations and playing hard. We finally have some team speed and build our run-and-gun program I have wanted the last two years.â€

Both LC-M and Bridge City will participate in the Nederland Lady Bulldogs Tournament this weekend.

Bridge City’s first game is at 10:30 a.m. while LC-M will follow with a noon tip-off in Nederland on Thursday.

[Slam14]

This was a tough, physical, game where neither team backed off or shied away from contact.

Coach E has the Lady Bears running the floor with purpose and look much improved from last year.  Congrats on the "W" and good luck this weekend in the Nederland tournament!