By Rob Potter
MONTICELLO — January 14, 2003 – The Pine Bush girls’ basketball team started running early Friday night.
The Lady Bushmen used their quickness and shooting ability to race out to a 24-9 lead in the first quarter of their non-league game against the Monticello Lady Panthers.
Pine Bush went on to record a 68-39 victory.
Behind 19 first half points from Deirdre Smith, Monticello (0-5) played Pine Bush virtually even in the second quarter.
But Pine Bush (5-5) outscored the Lady Panthers 15-9 in the third period to take a commanding 56-36 advantage into the final eight minutes of play.
Leading the way for the Lady Bushmen was senior guard Julie McLaud, who scored 26 points. Teammates Mary Range and Rebecca Thomas added 17 and 10 points, respectively.
“We played pretty well,” Pine Bush Coach Bill Lacavarra said. “The ladies are learning to play together and we’re getting better.”
Smith, who scored a game-high 27 points, narrowly missed recording a triple double. She pulled down nine rebounds and made nine steals in the game.
“I thought Monticello played very well,” Lacavarra said. “We had no answer for number 3 [Smith]; she’s quite a player.”
Brady Dollard recorded six points and six rebounds for Monticello. Bagina McCline had eight rebounds for the Lady Panthers.
“We’re still working hard and hanging in there,” Monticello Coach Karen Atack said. “I think we are improving and hopefully learning something from each game.”