The Quitman Lady Bulldogs and the Alba-Golden Lady Panthers got together last Tuesday for a classic early-season match-up at Alba-Golden High School. Quitman escaped with a 49-42 win in a game which illustrated many positive attributes of each squad.

The Lady Panthers got the better of the early going. They out-rebounded Quitman in the first quarter, pressed relentlessly and were the more physical and aggressive team. The energy was brought by Erin Langston, Alexis Wilmut and Cacie Lennon. At one point the Lady Panthers had forced five consecutive turnovers. 

Despite the dominance at the start, the Lady Panthers couldn’t get their shots to fall. They took a 5-0 lead but scored only seven points in the opening quarter. Meanwhile, the Lady Bulldogs just persevered. With a steady approach, they fought past their early turnover struggles and began to leverage their height advantage. 

As the first quarter timer expired, Quitman missed a lay-up which would have tied the score. 

It was the consistent presence of Lady Bulldogs Kaysie Parker, Madyson Pence and Allie Berry which carried Quitman as they weathered that first quarter passage through the turnover zone. 

Alba-Golden came out in the second quarter and took a 15-8 lead behind six points from Lennon (two steal and scores and an offensive rebound put-back) and an offensive rebound follow-up from Jesse Mitchell.   

Then, the momentum began to turn toward the Lady Bulldogs. Roles reversed as suddenly it was the Lady Panthers committing the turnovers – most on over-ambitious or ill-advised passes to the post. Quitman began to advance the ball down the floor consistently and move the ball around their perimeter offense. 

Alba-Golden had the chance to regain the momentum when Kamrin Wright took a charge on the defensive end, but the visitors remained focused and scored the last six points of the half. Berry chalked up some free throws and a nice inside basket, while Pence scored on two excellent drives, one a steal and score.

At the half, the score was notched at 17. 

The Lady Bulldogs came out from the intermission with the same consistent and patient approach. They stretched the Alba-Golden zone defense by quickly moving the ball around the perimeter and opened passing and shooting lanes. 

On the defensive end, a smart man-to-man defense kept the Lady Panthers largely at bay early in the second half. 

Parker began to find her range, hitting two 3-pointers to start the half. Quitman opened a 10-point margin with an inside basket by Annabelle Popek. 

In the last two minutes of the third quarter, Alba-Golden stormed back. They put together a 12-1 run to take the lead at the end of three quarters. The surge was jump-started by two assists from Kayleigh Logan – who contributed smart, effective minutes throughout the game.

A pair of free throws from Mitchell and two backcourt turnovers by Quitman seemed to indicate that the Lady Panthers had retained the groove they were in at the end of the third quarter. 

However, that steady nature of the Lady Bulldogs began to reap great dividends. They exercised good decision-making in the offensive end and ran off the next 10 points. 

Quitman led 47-37 with just over a minute left to play. An end-of-game push by Alba-Golden closed the margin to five points, but no closer.   

Fans of each team can expect some excellent basketball this year. Alba-Golden’s athleticism and basketball acumen will take them far. Quitman’s composure and steadiness will likewise produce a successful season.