By Robert Morgan | Published Thursday, February 5, 2009
Boyd post Jessie Pittman has enjoyed a successful run against Paradise. She has not lost to her neighboring rival in all four years that she has played varsity basketball.
Pittman faced the Lady Panthers for the last time Thursday where she helped win the contest for the eighth straight time. She scored a game-high 20 points to give the Lady Yellowjackets a much needed offensive boost to get a 47-23 home win.
The win allowed Boyd to maintain sole possession of the third and final playoff spot in District 9-2A. There are only three games left in the regular season.
Paradise, which is out of playoff contention, got a big night from Casey Fletcher. The junior post scored more than half of her team's points inside the paint.
Boyd's physical defense made things difficult for Paradise all night. The Lady Panthers were able to muster up seven points in each of the first two quarters.
The Lady Yellowjackets had their share of offensive struggles. However, they were consistent enough to take an early lead and hold on until the break.
Jessica Drake, who was solid from the outside, and Pittman did most of the damage in leading Boyd to a 13-7 lead.
The Lady Panthers got a little defensive in the second quarter. Baleigh Newman, Hannah Runnels, Haley Mitchell and Ally Howerton held Boyd to just six points in the quarter to trim the deficit to five points at halftime, 19-14.
Boyd blew the game open in the third quarter where it outscored Paradise 15-6. Emily Basting, Shelbi Tidwell and Pittman lit up the PHS defense to extend the lead to 15 points, 34-19.
The Lady Panthers got a handful of points from Fletcher in the second half, but it was not enough. They managed just nine points in the second half, three of which were in the fourth quarter.
Boyd outscored Paradise 13-3 in the fourth quarter.
Drake was second in scoring for the Lady Yellowjackets with 15 points. Basting finished with six points, while Tidwell had five and Jenny Hardcopf had one.
Paradise was led by Fletcher's 15 points. Mitchell put up five points, while Howerton had two and Newman had one.
