Bulldogs bow out to Jesup in regional

HAMPTON – A fantastic season for the Bulldog girls’ basketball team came to a stunning halt with a 63-50 loss to Jesup at home in the Class 3A Region 3 semifinal on Wednesday, Feb. 19.

It ended the careers of five seniors who played nearly four full years among them.

A teary head coach Miranda Valley relayed what she told all five: Courtney Miller, Kaci Arjes, Maci Arjes, Briana Grover and Calista Polk.

“I told them thanks for being the kids they are, the role models, the people, being so coachable and doing everything I ask, so selfless,” Valley said. “So much to be thankful for with those five.”

The difference in this game was rebounding as the J-Hawks won the battle of the boards and had several first-half put-backs for scores that had them ahead right away. Jesup accounted for 23 rebounds – nine on the offensive end. Official rebounding numbers for the Bulldogs were unavailable by press time.

Also, a couple of calls that could have gone for blocking fouls were instead assessed as charge calls against the Bulldogs that would have changed a few things.

“We knew they were a good rebounding team and we didn’t do the job on the boards that we needed to,” Valley said. “At the beginning, we allowed second shots, that was key. The refs called a good game, but the way they called it obviously makes it harder for us. We got into foul trouble and then got tired.”

Still, the Bulldogs hustled and worked hard despite a double-digit deficit in the third quarter. They started the fourth on an 8-3 run, but the deficit was too great. Maci Arjes led the Bulldogs with 15 points, Avery Hanson added 12.

“That’s why you like this group,” Valley said. “They are going to fight when they are up, they are going to fight when they are down. They are going to fight to the last buzzer.”

Valley took the time to acknowledge the large crowd in the gymnasium that came out to cheer the girls on.

“I’d like to thank our community,” Valley said. “The turnout tonight was amazing, I told the girls it was because of them and what they’ve done in the community and the people they are and the support was amazing. Just thanking the girls for leaving the program better than what they found it. It took them four years to get where they wanted, but they fought and fought and put in the time. It never ends the way you want it unless you win a state championship, but they fought and I thank them for that.”

Since the team loses five seniors and it had just 16 players from grades 9 through 12, numbers could again be an issue in 2020-21. Valley said she expects a handful of freshmen to be in the program next year.

“Get to work, it’s wide open,” Valley said of the future. “There are a lot of spots out there, who’s going to want it? Put in the time.

“I want kids in this program, we had 16 this year, girls who were going to show up and be coachable and respectful and they were going to be good teammates. If you want to be a part of that program, be a part of it. I don’t want kids who don’t really like basketball, but are just here. It’s a tough sport, I want kids in our program who want to be a part of it. I welcome them all.”

Jesup 63, Bulldogs 50

Jesup (20-4)– Natalie O’Connor 0-0 0-0 0, Payton McHone 4-5 1-4 9, Alexis Larson 2-2 0-0 5, Amanda Treptow 5-11 5-7 15, Leah Borgerding 0-0 0-0 0, Laney Pilcher 1-1 1-3 3, Kylie Winter 0-0 0-0 0, Allison Flaharty 4-8 0-1 8, Mackenzie Butters 0-0 0-0 0, Brittany Lingenfelter 7-14 2-4 19, Brianna Lingenfelter 1-3 2-3 4, Mirissa Mashek 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 24-44 11-22 63.

Bulldogs (19-4, final) –Kaci Arjes 6 0-0 15, Alana Johnson 0 0-0 0, Lauren Meader 1 2-2 4, Maci Arjes 0 0-0 0, Calista Polk 3 0-0 9, Courtney Miller 1 2-2 4, Avery Hanson 5 2-3 12, Gina Schmitt 0 0-0 0, Faith Grover 0-0-0 0, Briana Grover 2 0-0 4, Morgyn Anderson 1 0-0 2. Totals 14 6-7 50.

Jesup         22   14   17   10      -   63

H-D             14   14     8   14      -   50

Three-point goals – J 4-11 (Brit. Lingenfelter 3-7, Larson 1-1, Bria. Lingenfelter 0-1, Treptow 0-2); H-D 7 (K. Arjes 4, Polk 3). Rebounds– J 23, 9 off., 14 def. (McHone 7, Treptow 5, Flaharty 4, Bria. Lingenfelter 3, Pilcher 2, Borgerding, Brit. Lingenfelter); H-D, NA. Assists– J 17 (Treptow 7, Bria. Lingenfelter 6, Flaharty 2, McHone, Brit. Lingenfelter); H-D, NA. Steals– J 3 (McHone, Flaharty, Bria. Lingenfelter); H-D, NA. Blocks– J, None; H-D, NA. Total fouls– NA. Fouled out – None.