It just wasn’t the Alba-Golden Lady Panthers’ night. A normally cohesive, communicative and competitive group fell short on all three aspects of the game Friday against the visiting Fruitvale Lady Bobcats.

Despite the noisy, energized crowd, Fruitvale never faltered. They played aggressive and disciplined basketball from start to finish.  

The game had a crazy fast start with adrenaline fueling both sides. Averi Stevenson quickly followed a 3-pointer with an offensive rebound put-back to keep the game close at the mid-quarter mark.

Two 3-pointers and consistent free-throw shooting saw Fruitvale surge to a 20-7 lead at the break.

Second quarter action indicated that it would not be Alba-Golden’s night. The Lady Bobcats’ ability to get the ball to players cutting down the lane, and their ability to finish near the basket, built a 25-point margin. When Fruitvale stole an offensive rebound off a missed free-throw and sunk a jumper, it was like a bell tolling for the home side. 

Jayla Sitar, who led Alba-Golden with 20 points, guided the Lady Panthers through a competitive third period which saw the Lady Panthers match the Lady Bobcats step-by-step. Still, the home side could not scratch into the lead.

Fruitvale tightened their play in the final period, outscoring Alba-Golden by six points and securing their fifth consecutive district win. The win set up a Martins Mill vs. Fruitvale contest – played earlier this week – for the district lead.

The Lady Panthers have a solid squad. They were bested by Fruitvale in two specific areas: defending the cutters down the lane, and the inability to produce inside points. They will, no doubt, address both shortcomings as they wrap up the first round of district play.

The Frankston Lady Indians will be in town Friday, with tip-off set for 6:30 p.m.