The Boiling Springs Lady Bulldogs couldn't have found a more exciting way to start their season as they defeated Riverside 1-0 in overtime on Thursday night while playing on a home field that was covered in a thick fog.
"It was a great way to start the season," said Bulldogs head coach Jonathan Burnett. "We were up against a really good team there who played us tough a lot of the match and I'm really proud of how my girls stayed with it and fought hard." The Bulldogs defense played an impressive game on Thursday night as they were constantly attacked in the first half by Riverside but kept the Warriors off the board as goalkeeper Cora Brendle recorded ten of her fourteen saves in the first half. "Cora had an amazing night for us in the goal," said Coach Burnett. "She finished the night with a clean sheet and after tonight I think you have to look at her as a possible award winner at the end of the season if she keeps playing like this all season. She just played unbelievable for us tonight." In the second half the Bulldogs offense began a barrage on the Warriors defense but were unable to get a ball to find the back of net leading to both teams being tied at the end of regulation. As both teams began the overtime period the fog began to lift from the stadium and the Bulldogs offense came to life as senior captain midfielder Brooke Cash found the bottom left corner of the net to give Boiling Springs a 1-0 lead just two minutes into the overtime period. "We had a few chances there in the second half," said Coach Burnett. "Our senior captain Brooke Cash comes through for us their in overtime to give us the lead and I couldn't think of a better for our team to open our season here on our new turf." The Bulldogs who start the season 1-0 will now travel to Dorman on Monday night in another region matchup. "We are going to enjoy this victory tonight but tomorrow we will start getting ready for Dorman," said Coach Burnett. The Clover Eagles used a 14-2 run over the last six minutes of the basketball game on Tuesday night to defeat the Boiling Springs Lady Bulldogs 58-39 in the first round of the 5A Girls Basketball playoffs.
Both teams struggled to score early in the game as Boiling Springs led 5-3 with just over four minutes to go in the first quarter but Clover outscored the Bulldogs 11-7 over the rest of the quarter to claim a 16-10 first quarter lead. The Bulldogs offense continued to struggle in the second quarter as they were only able to produce six points in the second quarter and trailed the Blue Eagles 31-16 at halftime. The third quarter was pretty even as Boiling Springs trailed Clover 44-30 at the end of the third quarter but the Bulldogs started the fourth quarter on a 7-0 run to make the score 44-37 with just over six minutes to go in the fourth quarter. With the Bulldogs within ten they Clover Eagles went on a 14-2 run to move on in the 5A playoffs. Clover was led in scoring by Aylesha Wade who scored 18 points and Tiona Walls who added 16 points. The Bulldogs were led in scoring by seniors Amaya Richardson who scored 16 points and Caroline Reese who scored 12 points. Even with the loss the 2019 year has been a great year for the Bulldogs as they finish the season with a 15-9 overall record and were 9-5 in region play. Going into Friday night Boiling Springs had many scenarios that could effect their playoff status but the only sure thing was that if they won they were in and that's exactly what they did as they defeated the Gaffney Indians 56-38 to clinch the number four seed in Region II-5A. The Bulldogs locked down the fourth seed with their victory and also with Spartanburg defeating Byrnes on Friday night. "We had a lot of scenarios but we came into tonight with one goal and that was to control our own destiny with a win," said Boiling Springs head coach Hal McManus. "We have a lot of tough teams in this region and to be able to grab fourth place I'm proud of our guys." The Bulldogs started the game off slow as they trailed Gaffney 15-10 at the end of the first quarter and still struggled offensively in the second quarter as they trailed the Indians 24-19 at halftime. "We were very disappointed in our first half effort," said Coach McManus. "Our guys really gutted up there in the second half though and I was really proud of how our guys played in the second half of the game." In the second half Gaffney started out the half trying to melt clock early but the Bulldogs defense played tough allowing the Indians to only score three points in the third quarter. The Bulldogs offense finally was able to find it's rhythm in the third quarter as well as Boiling Springs outscored Gaffney 15-3 to grab a 34-27 lead after the third quarter. One of the keys to the Boiling Springs defensive effort was junior Reggie Crocker who finished with five points and five rebounds but also added five block shots and three steals. "Reggie is a difference maker and he has been a great teammate all season even when he was injured," said Coach McManus. "When you drive against us he's a guy there in the post that forces you to adjust your shot and that's something that's not always seen in the stats." With the Bulldogs holding a seven point lead heading into the fourth quarter Boiling Springs was going to have to be good from the free throw line going down the stretch and they were exactly that especially from senior JB Kennedy who scored fourteen of his game high sixteen points from the line in the fourth quarter. Kennedy was fourteen of sixteen from the free throw line in the fourth quarter. "JB is our point guard and that's what we expect out of him," said Coach McManus. "He wanted to go down to the line there down the stretch and that's the attitude you want your kids to have when they go to the free throw line." Boiling Springs also got a nice night from senior Trayson Fowler who scored twelve points and grabbed nine rebounds on Friday night. With the victory Boiling Springs moved to 15-8 on the season and assured themselves the fourth seed from Region II-5A and will play at Northwestern on Wednesday at 7:00 PM. Lady Bulldogs Defeat Indians The Boiling Springs Lady Bulldogs were in a very similar situation at the boy's team on Friday night needing a win to get into the playoffs and they did just that grabbing a 40-36 victory over Gaffney.
"We really needed that win because we have struggled the last few games," said Bulldogs head coach Dwayne Lytle. "Our energy level was down early but we just had enough to get the win tonight." The Bulldogs fell behind early as both teams struggled to score in the first quarter as Gaffney led 5-4 at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter both teams struggled to score but the Bulldogs were able to grab a 16-14 lead at halftime. Boiling Springs was led in the first half by Caroline Reese who scored nine points for the Bulldogs including all four of their first quarter points. In the second half the Bulldogs were able to get their offense moving as Boiling Springs got contributions from other parts of their offense as Amaya Richardson scored seven of her ten points in the second half and Morgan Prioleau scored all of her five points in the fourth quarter. "I told the girls at halftime we couldn't live on Caroline's three point shots alone," said Coach Lytle. "I told them we had to have a complete team effort in the second half and I think we did that." The Bulldogs were able to find their final lead of the game in the fourth quarter when Ragan Bristol had a great assist to Richardson to give Boiling Springs the lead at 38-36 with just under a minute to go in the game. On the girls side of the bracket the playoff picture was a little more unsure even though the Bulldogs should be in the playoffs. At the end of the game Friday the Bulldogs were believed to be in fourth place and heading to Clover on Tuesday night but that had yet to be confirmed on Friday night. On Wednesday morning the Boiling Springs Bulldogs had eight students sign to play college athletics next season at five different schools with local ties.
Logan Billings and Michael McDowell both committed to continue their football careers at The Citadel next season. McDowell and Billings were both named to the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas this past season where they helped the South Carolina team snap a three year losing streak to the North Carolina team. They also were both named All-Region in both their junior and senior seasons. "It's great knowing we're going to be teammates still next year," said Billings. "We will get to continue on the legacy." Two more members of the Boiling Springs football team committed to play college football next year as Caden Peeler and Shamar Wilson both signed to play at Limestone. Peeler was a key member of the Boiling Springs offense last season from both the wide receiver position and as a kick returner on special teams. Wilson was a starting defensive back this past season for the Bulldogs and both players are members of the Boiling Springs track team. They both said that they look forward to joining a program that's still in its early stages. 'I took a screenshot of all the receiving and special teams records and put it on my phone," said Peeler. "My goal is to break each of those records by the time I'm done there." Anna Greer committed to Anderson University on Wednesday to continue her tennis career next season. Greer is a six year letterman for the Bulldogs and was named All-Region in each of those six years. She was also named to the North-South tennis match after finishing her senior season with a 12-2 record from the number one singles position and finishing third in the Tennis State Singles. Greer said that her decision was a tough one for her this past season. "I really stressed about where I was going to choose this past season as I had a few options," said Greer. "Anderson just had a little more of what I was looking for and the teammates down there are great." Boiling Springs track team member Allison Crapps committed to continue her track and field career at Converse next season in pole vaulting. Crapps was named to the All-Region team and said that there were many factors that led her to sign with the Valkyries. "There aren't a lot of schools that offer pole vaulting and they happen to be one of those schools and they offered me," said Crapps. "Also my mom went to school there and with all that it just seemed like home." The Bulldogs also had another athlete commit to Converse on Wednesday as Jetta Turner will continue her cross country career with the Valkyries next season. Turner is a six year letterman in both track and cross country and has received All-Region honors three times. Turner said she is really looking forward to joining the program at Converse next season. "I'm looking forward to continuing my running career at Converse," said Turner. "I wanted to stay near home and when their coaches invited me for a tour I just fell in love with the campus." Boiling Springs lacrosse also had an athlete sign on Wednesday as Jacob Douglas signed to play at Lander University next season. Douglas is a three year letterman for the Bulldogs and said he is looking forward to being a part of the new lacrosse program at Lander next year. "They're going to be a first year program next year so I look forward to the chance to get to start right away," said Douglas. "I look forward to being part of the first group of lacrosse players at the school." The Boiling Springs Bulldogs basketball team honored their seven senior basketball players on Tuesday night and those seniors responded by scoring sixty-one of the Bulldogs points in a 67-51 victory over Hillcrest.
"We start five seniors and these guys were freshman my first year coaching here and I have gotten to see these guys grow up," said Bulldogs head coach Hal McManus. "They have worked hard and done everything right, for them to go out with a victory on their home court is special." The Bulldogs grabbed a three point lead at the end of the first quarter behind seven points from Zach Baldinelli and two three-pointers from JB Kennedy. Boiling Springs was able to stretch their lead out to double digits in the second quarter but Hillcrest was able to go on a run in the last two minutes to get within seven as the Bulldogs led 31-24 at halftime. In the third quarter neither team was able to do much about the score as the Bulldogs still held a six point lead at the end of the quarter. The fourth quarter saw the Boling Springs seniors step up and take over the game as all six seniors who dressed on Tuesday night were the only players to score in the quarter as the Bulldogs outscored the Rams 33-13 in the final quarter. Four of the Bulldogs seniors scored in double figures as Baldinelli led all scorers with twenty-two points and Kennedy added eleven points while both Trayson Fowler and Pierre Gentry both scored ten points. Senior Chance Guest also scored six points while adding six rebounds and two steals for the Bulldogs and fellow senior Hunter McCravey added two points on Tuesday night. With the victory the Bulldogs move into a three-way tie for fourth place in Region II-5A and can assure themselves a playoff spot with a victory over Gaffney on Friday night. "I want our kids to celebrate tonight but come tomorrow we have to get back to work," said Coach McManus. "It's always tough to play at Gaffney because you know those guys are always going to play you until the end." The Boiling Springs Lady Bulldogs fell to Hillcrest 35-32 on Tuesday night as they were never able to overcome a slow offensive start in the first half. Boiling Springs was down seven late in the fourth quarter but rallied to get within three points with sixteen seconds left in the game behind nine points from senior Caroline Reese in the last minute of the game but the Bulldogs ran out of time in their comeback effort as a three point attempt by a Bulldogs shooter rimmed out as the buzzer echoed throughout the gym. The Boiling Springs Bulldogs were tied with the number one team in 5A at 40-40 with three minutes to go in the game but came up just short as they fell 58-46 to the Dorman Cavaliers on Friday night. In the first quarter the Bulldogs had trouble finding the basket as they only managed to score five first quarter points but their defense kept them in the game as they held the Cavaliers to only fourteen first quarter points of their own. When the second quarter arrived the Bulldogs defense kept up their pressure as they limited Dorman to only ten second quarter points while the Bulldogs offense was finally able to get going as senior Trayson Fowler and sophomore Corey Johnson both scored seven points a piece in the second quarter to make the Dorman lead 24-22 at halftime. A key to the second half for Dorman was the performance of Myles Tate who scored twenty-one of his game high thirty points in the second half, including going eight for eight from the free throw line. The Cavaliers scored thirteen third quarter points but the Bulldogs were able to keep it close as Boiling Springs scored eight third quarter points of their own, with six pf those points coming from two three-pointers by JB Kennedy. During the fourth quarter the Bulldogs battled back to tie the game three different times, even tying the game with three minutes to go before Dorman took a three point lead and after missed shots by Boiling Springs late forced the Bulldogs to foul and put Dorman at the free throw line which allowed the Cavaliers to stretch out their lead late. Boiling Springs was led on Friday night by Zach Baldinelli who scored thirteen points while Corey Johnson contributed twelve points and Trayson Fowler added another ten points. The Bulldogs will honor their senior basketball players on Tuesday night as they host Hillcrest and will finish the regular season off next Friday at Gaffney. Lady Bulldogs Drop Heartbreaker to Cavaliers With a chance at a region championship on the line, the Boiling Springs Lady Bulldogs weren't able to land the final knockout punch and allowed the Dorman Cavaliers to get a 55-50 victory on Friday night.
After a Byrnes loss on Thursday night, the Bulldogs had sole possession of second place in Region II-5A and were the only team standing in the way of a region championship for the Cavaliers. The Cavaliers started the game out on a 6-0 run but Boiling Springs' senior Caroline Reese ended that run with a three-pointer to give the Bulldogs their first points of the game. The Bulldogs then battled back to get within one point at the end of the first quarter as Dorman led 15-14 over Boiling Springs. In the second quarter the Bulldogs used a great defensive performance to limit Dorman to only two second quarter points, only allowing those two points to be scored with just over a minute left in the half. In the second quarter the Bulldogs were able to put some distance between them and the Cavaliers as Boiling Springs outscored Dorman 12-2 with Reese leading the Bulldogs in the second quarter with seven points and giving the Bulldogs a 26-17 halftime lead. The Cavaliers came out in the third quarter with some defensive adjustments switching to a full court press that allowed them to go on a 12-0 run to start the second half and grab a three point lead with six minutes left in the quarter. Boiling Springs responded with a 7-0 run of their own to recapture the lead on their way to a 41-40 lead at the end of the third quarter. In the fourth quarter the Bulldogs held a 50-49 lead with under three minutes to go but were unable to get shots to fall late as the Cavaliers got key free throws from Alexis Rice to grab the lead and add to that lead late. Rice led all scorers with twenty-three points on Friday night and went five for eight from the free throw line in the fourth quarter. Boiling Springs was led in scoring by Caroline Reese who finished the game with fifteen points while Morgan Prideau added fourteen points for the Bulldogs. Boiling Springs also got an impressive performance from Amaya Richardson who finished the game with a double-double as she scored twelve points and grabbed ten rebounds. The Bulldogs will finish up their regular season next week as they have Senior Night at home against Hillcrest on Tuesday night and then travel to Gaffney on Friday night. |
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