Behind 30 from Todd, Bethel girls prevail

Photos by Kevin Nagle

Abby Henson (Photo by Kevin Nagle)

Abby Henson (Photo by Kevin Nagle)

CABOT — Raija Todd and the Bryant Blue Lady Hornets eighth grade team of Bethel Middle School were not going to let it happen again.

After 10 wins in a row this season, the Lady Hornets had suffered a tough 40-39 loss at Lake Hamilton in their previous outing on Monday, Jan. 27. On Monday, Feb. 3, Todd poured in 30 points as Bethel bounced back with a 38-32 win at Cabot South to run its record to 11-1 going into the final game of the season against Little Rock Episcopal this Thursday.

Of the four baskets that weren’t scored by the phenomenal Todd, she assisted on three including a baseline jumper by Danielle Singleton with 1:50 left in the first half, which cut into Cabot South’s 17-13 lead.

In the final 30 seconds, Todd dished to Baylee Rowton for a basket inside then beat buzzer herself with a 12-footer to put Bryant Blue on top 19-17.

That 6-0 finish to the first half led to a 12-2 start to the second that allowed the Lady Hornets to take control. Todd drained the second of her trio of 3-pointers and, after Cabot South scored, she fed Katie Evans for a basket to make it 24-19.

Moments later, Stephanie Cullen picked up an assist on a three-point play by Todd who followed up with a steal and a pair of free throws. Another Cabot South turnover led to a pull-up jumper by Todd that completed the 18-2 flourish, making it 31-19.

Cabot South cut the margin to 33-26 going into the fourth quarter but, as she did to start each half, Todd knocked down a 3 to start the final stanza. As it turned out, the final score was as close as the Lady Panthers could get.

Danielle Singleton (Photo by Kevin Nagle)

Danielle Singleton (Photo by Kevin Nagle)

Todd’s opening 3 and a three-point play late in the first quarter had the Lady Hornets up 7-4 but the period ended with the teams deadlocked at 9. The two teams traded baskets early in the second quarter with Todd and Abby Henson producing Bethel’s buckets.

A little surge by Cabot South had the Lady Hornets down 17-13 at the 2:08 mark, leading to the game-breaking blitz.

Bethel coach Rhonda Hall instructs her squad during a timeout. (Photo by Kevin Nagle)

Bethel coach Rhonda Hall instructs her squad during a timeout. (Photo by Kevin Nagle)

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