BAKER — The rebuilding process for the Baker School’s girls basketball team took another step forward Monday night.
Powered by Jessica Black’s game-high 15 points the Gators beat District 3-1A foe Northview 50-34.
Baker-Northview girls basketball photos>>>
“I thought we came out and played with some intensity and some tempo,” Gator Coach Jamie Kerrell said. “We tried to pick up the pace a little bit and play with a little fire on the defensive end of the floor as well as the offensive end.
“We tried to stress if you make a mistake on the offensive end you can make up for it with a hustle play on the defensive end and they will kind of balance each other out.”
At times the game was anything but pretty as both teams were whistled for an abundance of fouls. And one would think the teams were trying for frequent flyer miles as many times as they were called for traveling.
In the midst of the sloppy play the Gators found a way to get the job done.
Northview’s E’Lsyzha Bates scored the game’s first basket 14 seconds after the opening tip.
Ten seconds later Isabella Cain tied the game for the Gators (4-9, 2-1). The rest of game belonged to Baker as Ashley Black scored the next three points for Baker from the free throw line and with 5:14 left in the first quarter the Gators took the lead they would hold the rest of the game.
Jessica Black followed her older sister’s free throws with the first of her three 3-point baskets as the Gators pushed the lead to 8-2.
Baker led 13-8 at the end of the first quarter and was never seriously threatened by the Chiefs again.
Amanda Parisi helped spark an 11-0 run by Baker to start the second quarter. Parisi hit 3-of-4 free throws in the opening minute of the quarter. Isabella Cain and Hayley Melanson each scored three points during the run and Shelly Howington two points.
Baker led 26-14 at the half.
Jessica Black had a hot hand for Baker in the third quarter scoring 10 of the team’s 17 points.
The Gators led 44-28 after three and maintained a comfortable lead throughout the fourth quarter.
Jessica Black was the only Gator in double figures, but she still had plenty of help. Cain pitched in eight points, Ashley Black seven points,
Email News Bulletin Sports Editor Randy Dickson, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker girls too strong for Northview (PHOTOS, VIDEO)