SARATOGA – The Spring Hill Lady Bears basketball team completed regionals held at Saratoga High School Gymnasium Friday and Saturday, February 26-27. The Lady Bears faced off against the Norphlet Lady Rams in the semifinals but fell short, 69-42. The Lady Bears would regroup and defeated the Strong Lady Bulldogs 54-36 in a consolation game last Saturday for seeding in the state tournament.
The Lady Bears basketball team will make school history this Wednesday as they play in their first ever state tournament appearance against Hartford. The Lady Bears will come into Wednesday's battle with a 20-9 overall record and the team is coached by Laura Kidd.
For regional basketball semifinals action Friday, February 26, the Lady Bears fell behind early in the first quarter to Norphlet, 15-6. Suzie Gresham made 1 of 2 free-throws with Lauren Kidd nailing a three-pointer and scoring a basket for the Lady Bears in the opening quarter. In the second, Norma Aranda made 1 of 2 free-throws with Kelli Worthey scoring a basket but the Lady Rams led at halftime, 29-9.
In the third, the Lady Rams out-scored the Lady Bears to increase their lead at the close of the quarter,47-24. In the fourth, Lauren Kidd swished a three-pointer at the 7:38 mark. Worthey scored 11 points in the quarter making two treys and Gresham scored a basket, but Norphlet went on to victory.
In the game, Worthey led the Lady Bears scoring in double-figures with 16 points, Lauren Kidd scored 14 points, Gresham had nine points, Karleigh Creech, Norma Aranda and Marissa Aranda each added a point.
On Saturday, February 27 in the regionals consolation game, the Lady Bears led the Lady Bulldogs the entire game. In first quarter action, the Lady Bears jumped out quick against the Lady Bulldogs, 19-10 . then, out-scored Strong in the second quarter to led at halftime, 34-21. In the third, the Lady Bears increased their lead against Strong, 48-33 in the third quarter. For the final quarter of the game, the Lady Bears finished off Strong to go on to victory.
In the game, Haley Bobo led the Lady Bears scoring in double-figures with 10 points, Kaylee Frincher, Norma Aranda, and Gresham all scored nine points a piece. Creech scored eight points, Worthy had seven points, and Lauren Kidd added three points.
The Lady Bears will get ready for the state tournament this week as they gear up to win their first ever state title in senior girls basketball in Spring Hill school history.
