By Michael C. Guilmette Jr.
Sports Reporter
BRIMLEY — 67-28 pretty much says it all.
The Brimley Bays Girls Basketball Team dominated the DeTour Raiders at home on Sept. 30, routing the 2-7, 0-5 DeTour team early in the first period. The Raiders sank the first basket of the evening, but that was the only time they were ahead the rest of the game.
The Bays quickly rallied, dropping six baskets in the first period for a 12-4 lead. But the free-for-all really took off in the second period, prompted by back-to-back three-pointers by Stephanie Freedman, followed immediately by another three-point shot by Molly McIntyre. Consistent scoring, another three-pointer by Freedman, and a buzzer-beating basket by #42 Emily Gillies gave Brimley a near untouchable 42-13 lead at the half.
A halftime pep-talk by a visibly exasperated DeTour Coach Dave Miller seemed to motivate his team briefly, as the Raiders scored the first six points in the third period. DeTour added seven more points in the third, making it their best-scoring period. However, Brimley advanced 18 points themselves, bringing the overall score to 60-26 with a basket by Stephanie Carrick in the closing seconds of the period.
The final period saw little scoring by either team, with the Bays adding seven points to their lead and the Raiders managing a basket. Comfortable with his team's lead, Bays Coach Raymond Bell changed up his players regularly in the final period, which gave the whole team an opportunity for time on the court.
Again leading Brimley's scoring was Candace Leapley with 26 points, followed by Gillies with 16 points. Freedman sank 12, including her three three-point shots, Tara Lothrop added 6, Stephanie Carrick 4, and McIntyre with her three-pointer.
“Great team defense was how we won this game,” Bell said, “with great passing in the first half.” The Bays' defense was obvious throughout the game, as the Brimley defense pressured the Raiders into making mistakes that cost them turnovers.
The victory over DeTour was a pleasant follow-up to Brimley's disappointing 50-45 loss to Newberry on Sept. 25. Bell said that the Bays had actually taken the lead over the Indians at one point, but turnovers in the last period stole the opportunity for Brimley to come out on top.
Despite that loss, Bell is still pleased with the progress his team is making.
“Last year we were 3-7 at this point and now we are 5-5,” Bell said. “Our goal is to keep getting better with each game.”
The JV team also easily dispatched the Raiders, beating them 33-15.
