Lady Bengals Send Blazers Packing

Lady Bengal Bryana Anderson fights for possession Monday against Ridge View. (Photo/Kristy Kimball Massey)

BLYTHEWOOD – The Lady Bengals pulled out another solid victory to close out the final week of the regular season, defeating the Lady Blazers of Ridge View 48-35. The win gives the Lady Bengals a 3-seed in the Class 4A playoffs, earning them a trip to Summerville Thursday to face Ashley Ridge.

Led by Breelyn Blanding’s game-high 23 points, the Lady Bengals scored when they needed to and used their signature full-court press from the middle of the first quarter onward throughout the game to create havoc for the Lady Blazer ball handlers.

The key to pressing, though, is scoring first; something the Lady Bengals struggled with early.

Ridge View started the game hot, going up 5-2 early in the contest on account of their intense man-to-man defense. The Lady Bengals worked the ball inside to Brooke Taylor but Taylor couldn’t find her touch.

Midway through the first quarter however, the Lady Bengals came to life. Taylor went to the free throw line and made one of two, but seeing the ball go through the hoop was enough for her regain her stroke.

Blanding rose to the occasion as well, forcing steal after steal in the Lady Bengal press and scoring in transition on the turnovers. The Lady Bengals took control of the lead by the close of the first quarter, leading 11-8.

Comfortable with the lead and control of the game in their hands, the Lady Bengals went to work and stretched the lead to 25-19 with three minutes left in the half.

The Blazers would cut into the lead thanks to some spot-on three-point shooting from Armanii Grice, but Blanding was having none of it, as she reeled off consecutive buckets, penetrating the Lady Blazer defense and finishing strong at the basket.

In the second half, the Lady Bengals continued to dominate. Taylor worked hard for shots inside and Blanding stretched her range, connecting on multiple three pointers. By the end of the third quarter, the game was very much in hand, with Blythewood leading 34-22.

In the fourth quarter, Blythewood played smart and controlled, taking quality shots and not rising turnovers, closing out the game strong with a 48-35 victory in what was the final regular season game of the year.

The win secures the third place spot in the region for Blythewood, behind Irmo and Spring Valley at first and second and extends the Lady Bengal win streak to three games.

Blythewood: Breelyn Blanding 23, Thompson 5, Jacobs 3, Harley 6, Taylor 6, Anderson 4, Jackson 1.

Ridge View: Tisdale 3, Addison 4, Grice 9, Ajukwa 4, Anderson 4, Goodwin 2, Sinker 4, Swan 2, Toney 3.

Contact us: (803) 767-5711 | P.O. Box 675, Blythewood, SC 29016 | [email protected]