Published: November 22, 2009 01:40 am      

BAKSETBALL: Jeff uses defense to earn HHC win

The Jeffersonville girls’ basketball team’s 2-3 zone defense stifled host Bedford North Lawrence all night, helping the Red Devils to a 53-31 as they opened Hoosier Hills Conference play on Saturday.

Jeff (3-0, 1-0 HHC) held the Stars to 14 points in the first half and three points in the final quarter, as BNL hit just 12-of-40 shots — while Jeff shot 57 percent — and got to the foul line just four times.

Shanice Gholson led Jeff in scoring for the second straight night with 17 points. She hit 5-of-8 of her field-goal attempts and went 7-for-10 from the line.

Brooke Valentine added nine points, and Jalynn McClain and Jamice Williams had eight apiece. Valentine had a game-high seven rebounds.

The Class 4A No. 2 Red Devils will host South Central on Tuesday. The Rebels are 0-1 after a 61-34 loss to Seymour on Friday.

• Dragons’ score 28 first-quarter points in win: Silver Creek scored 28 points in the first quarter and went on to beat rival Henryville, 68-28.

Silver Creek coach Ryan Apple said his team’s press caused too many problems for Henryville, which fell to 3-3.

The Dragons (2-1) led 28-6 at the end of the first quarter and 42-10 at the half before calling off its press.

Mandi Martin led the balanced Dragons with 15 points and also had five rebounds. Emily Clayton added 14 points, Maribeth Rogers had 11, Kim Jamros eight and Molly Voyles had seven points and five steals.

Allison Knox and Abby Taylor led Henryville with eight points apiece.

Silver Creek will open Mid-Southern Conference play on Tuesday when it travels to North Harrison to face the 3-1 Lady Cats, who defeated Scottsburg, 46-39, on Saturday.

Henryville, which has dropped three straight after opening the season 3-0, will host Medora on Monday, Nov. 30. The Hornets topped 1-6 Medora, 66-20, in its season opener.

• Bulldogs overcome foul trouble to improve to 2-0: New Albany senior leader Kayton Cole battled through foul trouble all night.

She still scored 14 points and led New Albany to a 58-45 victory over 0-3 Corydon Central.

“It was good to see us play well without (Cole) on the floor,” New Albany coach Amanda Carmchicael said.

The Bulldogs trailed 12-11 at the end of the first period, but they outscored Corydon 17-6 in the second period to take control. The second quarter was also the big period in the Bulldogs’ 58-57 overtime win over Evansville North in their opener.

“So far the second quarter has been the key,” Carmichael said. “I haven’t figured out why yet.”

Samantha Pitts led New Albany with 15 points. Kamaren Cole, Anjelica Groves and Tanner Marcum all had six for New Albany. Jenna Keinsley had a game-high 22 points for the Panthers.

New Albany will host 2-1 North Harrison on Dec. 3 in its next contest.