Lady Bulldogs Advance in the 11th Region Tournament

Dunbar defeated Berea 57-32 on March 2.

Payton Coulter

#23 goes up for the layup to get points for PLD.

Dunbar faced off against Berea right in the Dawg Pound. The Lady Bulldogs immediately took charge, winning the tip-off. After a small work-around, Dunbar’s #5 junior Elise Ellison-Coons easily scored a three-pointer. 

Throughout the first quarter, Ellison-Coons maintained a very strong performance, scoring all 12 of Dunbar’s points for the quarter. The Lady Bulldogs also worked together very well to keep Berea out of their side of the court. Dunbar’s defense, #42 Hailey Gadd in particular, kept Berea from scoring their first points until there was only 3:03 left to play in the quarter. 

The first quarter ended with the Lady Bulldogs ahead 12-6.

Moving into the second quarter, Dunbar could have easily had the momentum to keep moving forward, it didn’t end up that way. In the beginning, they struggled to move the ball around. After a fight to get shots off, Dunbar persevered and made well over half of their free throws, forced their way to the basket, and kept their lead.  

The Lady Bulldogs stayed ahead, with the score being 21-13 at the end of the first half. 

In the third quarter, Berea tried hard to stay in the game, and their #55 began fighting to get all of the rebounds. Dunbar started to back off the rebounds and had to be careful with their hands because fouls were beginning to add up.

Lady Bulldog #13 Aziah Campbell started her run this quarter and made a strong run for her team. From breakaways to careful movements with the ball, Campbell had a noteworthy performance in the second half. Dunbar’s #42 Hailey Gadd also picked it back-up and started fighting for rebounds again, contending with Berea’s #55.

The third quarter came to a close with the Lady Bulldogs ahead 39-18.

Berea wasn’t going home without a fight and started the final quarter of the game with a three-pointer. When Dunbar had possession, they also wanted to make it count and began swinging long passes to break down the opposing defense and put more points on the board. Throughout this quarter, the Lady Bulldogs remained on top. With three-pointers by Dunbar’s #2 Carley Hinshaw and #23 Tanaya Cecil, their lead only grew.

The Lady Bulldogs defeated Berea 57-32 in the first round of the 11th region tournament.

The Bulldogs play again on March 4 at 6:30 p.m. against Franklin County High School at Eastern Kentucky University in the regional Semi-Finals.

Whoever advances will play in the championship on March 6 at 7 p.m. against the winner of the Scott County vs. Great Crossing match-up.