The Batesville Bulldogs have put together 11 wins on the season and they do not seem to have played their best basketball yet.
Tuesday night was a good example.
The Bulldogs knocked off the South Ripley by a score of 56-48.
Coach Aaron Garrett’s crew looked at times if they were going to run away with it, but the Raiders seemed to have an answer each time.
The Bulldogs – led by Chris Lanning, Connor Kelley and Zach Meyer – played good post defense against the taller South Ripley lineup.
Thad Fleming (6’6”), Denny Mayes (6’8”) and Jimmy Hartman (6’7”) had moments of success in the paint for the Raiders, but were not able to be a consistent threat.
The Bulldogs were able to pressure full court and forced some key turnovers before the ball could get to the post, which also led to transition baskets.
The Raiders led at the first quarter break and by as many as six in the second, but the Bulldogs went on a 10-0 to close the half and take a 26-21 lead at the intermission.
The Batesville advantage grew to 10 points on a pair of free throws by Tom Jeffers at the 4:15 mark.
Back-to-back 3-pointers by Tanner Tucker and Jerad Walters helped slow the Bulldogs. The Raiders went on to close the gap to 37-34 at the end of the third quarter.
South Ripley later tied the game on a three point play by Fleming. The Bulldogs and Fleming traded baskets over the next two minutes before the Bulldogs regained the lead.
A breakaway lay-up by Cameron Fledderman off an assist by Brock Ryker was followed by a 3-pointer from Jeffers to make it 48-43.
The Bulldogs would not trail again.
Batesville preserved the victory by hitting 7-of-8 free throws in the final two minutes.
BHS junior varsity
holds on for win
The Bulldogs made it interesting in the junior varsity contest, but held on to defeat the Raiders by a score of a 34-32.
Despite trailing by two points entering the fourth quarter, Batesville held a four point lead with under a minute to play. The Raiders made a game of it and had a chance to tie or win on the final possession.
The Bulldogs were led in scoring by Luke Williams with 11 points and Connor Jeffers with eight.
South Ripley got a team-high 10 points from Brandon Sizemore.
