Bexley survives Beechcroft

In a game that felt like it saw more fumbles than an entire Cleveland Browns football season, Bexley travelled to Beechcroft for a showdown that turned out to be a thriller despite a low combined scoring total of 76 points between the two teams, last night.

Both teams struggled to take care of the ball for most of the night, but it was Bexley that found initial success in its narrow 39-37 victory. In the first quarter, Julia Olson scored four points while collecting rebounds and making a few solid passes which eventually led to points. Bexley looked as if it would route host Beechcroft after leading 11-3 when the opening period ended.

The momentum of the game shifted a bit in the second quarter as the Beechcroft defense tightened up and the offense became more patient. Beechcroft head coach Mike Moncrief told his girls that they didn't have success in the first quarter because they didn't run the offense properly.

The Cougars held Bexley to one made basket in the second quarter as Sydney Beten made one of her game-leading four threes. Beechcroft made just three field goals in the quarter as it outscored the visitors 9-5. Bexley's lead was narrowed to a halftime score of 16-12. In the second quarter Shandrella Balima became a nuisance towards the Bexley offense and defense as she posted five of the nine Beechcroft second quarter points. Balima scored one basket while making three of four free-throw attempts in the period before the intermission.

Balima didn't let up after the first half as the Beechcroft offensive attack thrived in transition scoring its best total of 15 points in the third quarter. After Bexley went ahead 17-12 behind a free-throw, Balima caused havoc as she slashed by the Bexley defenders to score two layups, cutting Bexley's lead to 17-16. Balima led the Cougars in the third quarter as well with seven more points, making three of Beechcroft's five baskets in the period. The guard was the Cougars' top scorer in the game with 15 points.

Beechcroft grabbed its first lead when one of the smallest guards in the game began one of the biggest efforts. Sha'Mya Dukes drove to the basket and was fouled with 5:46 to go in the third quarter. She stepped up and perfectly nailed two free-throws that allowed the Cougars to jump ahead with an 18-17 advantage.

After another Balima free-throw and a basket by Olivia Neal, which was assisted by Journi Irvin, who also grabbed the offensive rebound prior to her assist, Beechcroft did what Bexley did in the first quarter. The home team had momentum which looked like it would last as the Cougars led 21-17, following a 9-1 run.

Late in the third quarter Bexley stayed in the game as Beten was able to score five of the team's eight points in the quarter. Beechcroft's biggest player Janessa Dawson scored her first of two baskets of the game on a fourth quarter putback as she rebounded a missed free-throw. On the next possession Lynae Sullivan earned a hard-fought steal following a Bexley offensive rebound. The Cougars advanced the ball as Dukes found Irvin who knocked down a jump shot. By the time the quarter ended, Beechcroft held a slim 27-24 lead.

The fourth quarter was an exciting stretch of basketball for both teams that were opening their respective seasons. Bexley travelled well with its share of supporters in the audience. As the game progressed and Beechcroft's play improved, the fans of the Cougars rocked the room, along with the help of the cheerleaders.

Despite heavy defensive pressure by Beechcroft, Beten found Natalie Fisher who hit a turnaround shot just outside the post while heavily guarded by a Beechcroft defender within the first 20 seconds of the fourth period. Over the next two Bexley possessions, Dukes collected two steals on her opponent's end of the court, helping Beechcroft cling to the 27-26 lead.

Beechcroft's best possession ended at the 6:18 fourth quarter mark as Dukes slowed things down before passing the ball to Balima who took six dribbles as she fought through the Bexley defense for her final bucket of the game. The guard that wears zero on her jersey was fouled and knocked to the ground before scoring. After the ball went through the basket, Balima was flat on the back. Once she saw that the shot was good, she crossed her arms and posed as if she planned the entire thing while the home crowd went crazy. Balima hit the free-throw and Beechcroft led 30-26.

Shortly after, Beechcroft saw its lead disappear. Dukes took two quick three-pointers in her team's following possessions. Instead of working the clock, Beechcroft found itself chasing down Bexley players who rebounded both misses and turned them into points. The final of the two misses hurt Beechcroft the most.

After advancing the ball past halfcourt, Bexley guard Spencer Farley dropped the dime to Bailey Price who dribbled, side stepped and knocked down a huge three-pointer that made it a 30-30 tie. Over the next few possessions both teams failed to score, and Beechcroft had a scary moment as Dukes was hurt after being fouled during a layup attempt. She yelled as she held her calf muscle and was subbed out to recover.

With less than three minutes to play, Bexley cruised up the court and Farley got another assist on an Olson layup. Olson became a problem for Beechcroft down the stretch as she scored six of her 13 points in the fourth period.

As Bexley took a 32-30 lead, Beechcroft followed that with an immediate response, with Dawson catching the ball as she surged up the court and rifled up a bit of a hook shot over a Bexley defender. Olson followed that by making one of two free-throws, giving Bexley the 33-32 edge.

After returning a few possessions before, Dukes hit a gutsy three-pointer to lift Beechcroft back into the front at 35-33. The Beechcroft fans erupted once more, and it again appeared that things were going to go the way of the Cougars.

With 1:03 left in the contest, Farley made a pass to Susannah Zirwas who saw her three-point attempt look as if it was going to be successful, only to come back out of the rim. Evie Messmer got the heroic Bexley offensive rebound over three Beechcroft defenders. She got the ball back to Farley who didn't waist a second as she quickly passed to Beten who made the final of her four three-pointers.

Bexley held a 36-35 advantage with 41.4 seconds remaining. After a timeout the speedy Beechcroft offense went at the Bexley defense unsuccessfully as the possession resulted in a steal. Bexley took the ball up the court and gave it right back to Beechcroft as Zirwas misread her teammate while being pressured by Dukes, who was speedy enough to run the pass down, fight through two Bethel defenders and make it a 37-36 Beechcroft lead after a made layup.

With 9.4 seconds left to play, Bexley took its final shot in an effort to steal the road win. After the timeout Zerwas passed the ball to Olson who scored in the post while earning the foul, leading Bexley to a 39-37 result. Beechcroft did get one more attempt that was no good as the final buzzer sounded.

Beten scored 14 to pace Bexley. Beechcroft got 12 points from Dukes. Bexley made five three-pointers while Beechcroft made two. The victorious Bexley squad will host Whitehall-Yearling on Nov. 25. Last year, Bexley lost to their next foe 60-50 on the road. Beechcroft will host its top rival Northland on Dec. 2. The Cougars swept Northland during the 2024-25 season winning two games against the Vikings.