TEMPLE, TX — It was a tough night at the basket for the Bonham Lady Bulldog 8th grade A team on Thursday, as they fell to a disciplined Belton Middle School Lady Tigers squad. In a contest defined by Belton’s stifling defensive pressure, the Lady Tigers walked away with a 34-3 victory at Bulldog Gym.
Lady Tigers Take Early Control
From the opening tip-off, Belton established a fast-paced rhythm that Bonham struggled to contain. The Lady Tigers jumped out to a commanding 12-0 lead in the first quarter, utilizing a relentless defense to disrupt the Bulldogs' offensive flow.
The second quarter saw much of the same, with Belton matching their opening output. However, the Lady Bulldogs found a spark of life before the half. Yohana Torres fought through the Belton interior defense to net a field goal, marking Bonham’s first points of the night. The teams headed into the locker room with Belton leading 24-2.
Defensive Stand in the Final Frame
The third quarter belonged entirely to the visitors, as the Lady Tigers added another 12 points to their total while keeping the Bulldogs scoreless.
Despite the mounting deficit, the Lady Bulldogs refused to quit. The fourth quarter turned into a defensive stalemate, with Bonham’s backcourt stepping up to shut down the Belton offense entirely. In a gritty final period, Bonham outscored the Lady Tigers 1-0 thanks to a clutch free throw from Michelle Ezechukwu-Chukwuma.
The Bulldogs finished the night with three points total, led by Yohana Torres with two points and Michelle Ezechukwu-Chukwuma with one. While the scoreboard favored the visitors, the Lady Bulldogs showed significant resilience by holding the Lady Tigers scoreless in the final six minutes of play.
Looking Ahead
The Lady Bulldogs will look to bounce back and find their offensive rhythm as they hit the road for their next matchup. Bonham will travel to face Copperas Cove Junior High on Thursday, January 15. Tip-off for the 8th grade A game is scheduled for 6:30 PM.
Quarterly Breakdown:
1st: Belton 12, Bonham 0
2nd: Belton 12, Bonham 2
3rd: Belton 12, Bonham 0
4th: Belton 0, Bonham 1
