Lady Bulldogs Break Down Against Panthers

KENNEWICK - Lady Bulldogs coach Scott Hud­son called Tuesday night's pre-season game in Kenne­wick, a "Tale of Two Halves." The score at halftime was 26-25, with the Riverview Panthers just one point ahead of the Dayton girls. But Bull­dog Courtney Mings suffered head injury in the first quar­ter, and the remaining seven varsity players quickly grew exhausted. Dayton scored just seven more points in the second half to Riverview's 40, end­ing the game 66-32 with the Panthers in the lead. "I think they just got tired," Hudson said. "Honestly they played so well. Those gals had to run the whole game. I was really pleased with their effort."

The small squad was al­ready short another varsity girl, post Shelby Smith, the team's tallest player. Smith broke her toe over Thanks­giving break and likely won't return to the court until late next week. This week's pre-season game against Riverview High School, a 1A school, was a good test for the Lady Bulldogs, Hudson said.

McKayla Bickelhaupt was the leader in rebounds with seven. And Dayton had just 10 turnovers in the first half but ended the game with 30.

The team certainly played better than it did Friday night, Hudson said. On Friday, the girls were soundly beaten by the Pomeroy Pirates, 53-28.

"I really felt we did not give our best effort," Hudson said following Friday night's home game. The girls had more than 30 turnovers in that game as well. "It's early in the season, and some of it certainly has to do with having a team that really hasn't played to­gether

yet," he said. "The first game's always tough."

In the game against Pome­roy, a well-coached team with all five returning start­ers, Nicole Lambert and Jessica Tate gave great ef­forts, Hudson said. "We just couldn't get any shots to fall."

Hudson's goal of getting better each game is looking hopeful, he believes. "We're just going to work on getting better with every game," he said. "If we can do that, we're going to be fine." Tuesday night's game against Riverview was a success in that department, he said.

Dayton's pre-season ac­tion continues Wednesday, Dec. 8, against Tekoa-Oakes­dale. The girls play their first league game at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 17, against WP in Waitsburg.

Dayton vs. Pomeroy (Dec. 3)

Dayton 8 10 5 5 28

Pomeroy 10 17 15 11 53

Dayton (28) Nicole Lambert 12, McKayla Bick­elhaupt

8, Samura Miller 4, Jessica Tate 2, Courtney Fuller 2. Free Throws:

Dayton vs. Riverview (Dec. 7)

Dayton 32

Riverview 66

Dayton (32) Nicole Lambert 10, McKayla Bickel­haupt

3, Samura Miller 3, Jessica Tate 6, Courtney Full­er

2, Darci Hall 2, Malia Frame 6. Free Throws: 40%