CRESTVIEW – There is plenty of work to do before Crestview High School’s girls basketball team can make a run at the playoffs for a third straight season.
The Bulldogs got off to a good start for that Tuesday against Rutherford. Tiara Payne led all scorers with 12 points and Crestview turned in a smothering defensive effort in a 40-17 win.
Bulldog Coach Kathy Combest saw plenty of room for improvement, but she also saw some things that she was pleased with.
“We were a little sloppy,” she said. “But we hustled and made some defensive stops with steals. Those things you don’t normally get (the first game of the year).
“We were taking some charges and doing the things you are supposed to do on defense. This game gives us what we need to work on taking care of the ball and not getting mentally tired.”
The Bulldogs scored their first point of the game before the clock even started. The Rams were hit with a technical foul when the number of one of their players was incorrectly given to the official book.
Lakayla Robinson hit one of two free throws and the Bulldogs (1-0) were off and running. Crestview led 11-0 at the end of the first quarter and led by double digits the rest of the game.
Netaya Winston scored all four of her points in the first quarter to spark the early Bulldog run.
Payne scored six points in the first half as the Bulldogs led 23-6 at the half.
Crestview stretched the lead to 30-6 early in the third quarter as Robinson scored on a pair of layups and K.K. McTear hit a 3-point basket.
The Rams (0-1) matched the Bulldogs point-for-point in the last 11 minutes of the game, but it was too little too late as Crestview coasted to the win.
Rutherford 0 6 9 2 – 17
Crestview 11 12 11 6 – 40
RUTHERFORD (17)
Tiara Bell 3, Kira Spani 2, Kara Spani 4, Tee Tee McElroy 2, Jasmine Patterson 6. Totals 4 1 6-8 17,
CRESTVIEW (40)
K.K. McTear 5, Amia’h Banks, 4, Lee Lee Brown 2, Lakayla Robinson 5, Tiara Payne 12, Nyquaja Collins 6, Dionjenae Hendrix 2, Netaya Winston 4. Totals 17 1 3-7 40.
Crestview-Rutherford girls basketball box
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview girls open season with win over Rutherford (PHOTOS)