- Bethel Christian gets past Arendell Parrott in defensive battle
- By Junious Smith III / Sports Editor KINSTON FREE PRESS
In a game where both teams struggled to generate offense, Bethel Christian found a way at the charity stripe to hand Arendell Parrott its first loss.Carrie Pridgen scored 14 points and Jensen Worthington scored all 12 of hers in the second half to lead the Lady Trojans to a 37-23 road win over the Lady Patriots.
- Bethel Christian (4-2) shot just 22 percent from the field, but went 13 of 20 at the free throw line, including 12 of 18 in the second half.Defensively, the Lady Trojans held the Lady Patriots (2-1) to just 16 percent from the field.
- “It was a rough game, but overall the defense helped us overcome our offensive struggles,” Bethel Christian coach Kendall Sanderson said. “We were able to apply a lot of pressure and force (26) turnovers.”Bethel Christian controlled a majority of the game, going on an 8-0 run after an opening basket by Arendell Parrott’s Darci Basden, but the Lady Patriots countered with a run of their own, tying the score at 10 on a basket from Morgan Banker with 4:20 to play in the second quarter. Pridgen immediately with a 3-pointer, but the Lady Patriots took the lead back after two free throws by Hannah Scott Avery.
- The Lady Trojans were 1 of 9 and had scored only three points in the second quarter before Pridgen’s shot with 5 second to play gave Bethel Christian a 15-14 halftime advantage. Pridgen scored 10 in the first half, stepping up in the presence of injured star Kelsey Worthington.
- “We definitely have to work harder without her, but I was happy to help out the team,” Pridgen said.In the third quarter, the teams only scored one basket each, but Bethel Christian cashed in at the line. Jensen Worthington scored all nine of the Lady Trojans’ points, including 7 of 9 at the foul line as Bethel Christian was in the bonus before the fourth. Arendell Parrott didn’t take one foul shot in the quarter and fell behind 24-16
- .“My sister knows how to push me, so after halftime I noticed the lane was open and started driving more,” Jensen Worthington said.After McKinsey Walker knocked down a free throw to start the fourth quarter for Arendell Parrott, Bethel Christian went on a 6-2 run to effectively clinch the game. Of the 11 field goals the Lady Trojans converted, four were made in the fourth quarter with Pridgen hitting two.Arendell Parrott coach Shivar Person said the team’s defense has been great, holding Wayne Christian and Southwest Onslow to a combined 40 points, but the offense has to improve.
- “We played well, but it can be frustrating when shots don’t go in,” Person said. “Hats off to Bethel Christian — they’re a great team. They played great defense and so did we, but we missed a lot of layups in the first half. If we knock those down, it may be an entirely different game.”
Basden scored 10 points to lead Arendell Parrott.
Bethel Christian 37, Arendell Parrott 23
BC 10 5 9 13 — 37
APA 6 8 2 7 — 23
BETHEL CHRISTIAN — Carrie Pridgen 14, Jensen Worthington 12, Sowers 6, Crain 3, Fulcher 2
ARENDELL PARROTT — Darci Basden 10, Casey 4, Walter 3, Creech 2, Banker 2, Avery 2
Fouled out — None
Technical fouls — None
Three-pointers — Bethel Christian: Pridgen, Crain
