Thursday, March 04, 1999
Holmes makes sure Soard will coach another game
Bulldogs stomp Beechwood 54-33
BY RAY SCHAEFER
Enquirer contributor
UNION — Holmes girls basketball coach Dennis Soard is learning to savor every dribble and shot because he's retiring after this season.
Wednesday's Ninth Region opener against Beechwood is one game Soard should remember. Senior forward Dorrian Jackson scored 16 points and freshman guard Erica Hallman added 14 in a 54-33 win at Ryle High School.
The Lady Bulldogs get Conner, a 59-28 winner over Bellevue in the semifinals at 5 p.m. Monday.
The win improved Soard's career record to 249-119.
“Every (game) is precious since every one could be the last one,” Soard said.
Hallman wants to keep Soard on the bench as long as possible.
“So we want to win from here,” Hallman said. “I think we've got a shot at going all the way.”
Holmes overwhelmed Beechwood in every facet of the game: It held Beechwood to 9-of-39 shooting from the field; it took a 42-34 edge in rebounding (Jackson had 13); and it forced 23 Tiger turnovers.
“They play hard until they drop,” Soard said.
A four-minute sequence of the second period clinched Holmes' win.
Mindy Bishop started with a three-pointer with 6:34 left. Andrea Arlinghaus missed two free throws, and Hallman later scored eight straight points. Jackson and Hallman finished the 14-3 run and 26-10 halftime advantage with a three-pointer apiece.
“After we settled down and got over our jitters, we coasted the rest of the way,” Soard said. “Transition's our game, and that's what happened.”
Here's how thoroughly Holmes' defense shut down Beechwood in the first half: The Tigers had 16 turnovers compared with 15 shots (and only four made); Holmes picked 11 Beechwood passes; and Beechwood's leading scorer, senior forward Lauren Dick (13 points per game), was kept out of the score book (she scored just two points for the night).
Holmes was just 10-of-28 from the field after 16 minutes, but the Lady Bulldogs hit 4-of-8 three-pointers. They were 19-of-54 from the field for the game.
“They just had the transition game going,” Beechwood coach Flora Fields said. “They got some easy baskets. They scored 16 points off our turnovers.”
Holmes extended its lead to 36-17 after three quarters.
Marquise Hanser led Beechwood with 11 points.
BEECHWOOD (33): Hanser 2-5 11, Dick 1-0 2, Hobbs 1-2 4, Arlinghaus 1-0 2, Pohlgeers 3-3 9, R. Petroze 0-1 1, McDermott 1-2 4. Totals: 9-13 33.
HOLMES (54): V. Jackson 1-1 3, Bishop 3-1 8, Collins 0-3 3, Brinkman 1-0 2, Hallman 5-2 14, Sterling 3-0 6, Goodenough 1-0 2, D. Jackson 5-3 16. Totals: 19-10 54.
Beechwood ....... 6 4 7 16—33
Holmes ....... 9 17 10 18—54
Three-point goals: B-Hanser 2. H-D. Jackson 3, Hallman 2, Bishop. Records: B 22-5, H 21-6.
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