Pictured is Hailey Stidman
To open up their basketball season, the Waldron Sr Lady Bulldogs saw three close losses against three talented teams before the Covid brakes put a two week stop to their gameplay. And although two weeks might not sound like a long time, to a sports program and their team, it can be crippling. But the Sr Lady Bulldogs took it like a champ and after spending their next four games back in action knocking the rust off, their hard work finally paid off as they brought home their first win of the season on Monday, December 21st against the Lavaca Lady Golden Arrows.
With nothing to lose, the Lady Bulldogs put everything they had on the line. And after hardcore hustle and big-time bustle, Waldron pulled away with a commanding final winning score of 46-33. Hailey Stidman was the top dog of the game as she earned a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds. Stidman has consistently shown offensive and defensive progress since last season and it shows every time she hits the hardwood. Although last season she was a huge assisting presence, this year she is leading the pack and proving that she can not only make points but she can take points as well. Stidman also earned 6 deflections and 4 steals in the match.
With 11 points was Rheagan Sanford who is the perfect accomplice to her teammates on the court in any position she’s needed. Sanford snagged 6 assists, 2 deflections, and 6 rebounds to boot. When it comes to a player not to be messed with on the hardwood it’s Molly Richmond who due to her powerful presence is able to defend the court better than an ADT alarm system. Richmond netted 4 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, 3 deflections.
Also scoring 4 points each was Kadance Espinoza and Summer Imperiali. Espinoza who also picked-up 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 2 deflections is the perfect secret weapon as she seems like a non-threat to the competition, and then BOOM! explodes into action like a torpedo sending opponents flying in every direction. And Imperiali who grabbed 6 rebounds and 1 assist in the match, plays with an ease that makes chopping wood look like a walk in the park. Bianca Hinojosa rounded out the points with 3 along with 3 rebounds while Jinjer Ward scored 1 rebound and 1 deflection.
The Waldron Sr Lady Bulldogs will be busy, busy, busy next week as they take on three teams, in three games, for three days in a row. First up on December 28th, it’s Horatio at home. Then on Tuesday, the Lady Bulldogs will travel to Ozark to compete against the Lady Hillbillies. And to wrap up 2020, Waldron will host Southside on December 30th.
Photo courtesy of Sandy Tull
