DUBLIN – The Lady Knights kicked off their 2017-18 season with a stiff challenge from one of the region’s best Class 4-A programs in Wilmington Hoggard.
The Lady Vikings came Dublin on Tuesday for a non-conference game and took home a 74-13 victory to improve to 2-0.
“We played well early but with the style we were playing fatigue set in …” said West Bladen coach Brian McCleney. “We still have a lot of work to do and the girls understand that.”
Hoggard opened a 26-7 lead after the first quarter — with five of West Bladen’s points coming on a Kasee Singletary three-pointer and bucket — and piled up 31 points in the second stanza to take a 57-13 advantage into halftime.
Things only got more dismal in the second half for the Lady Knights as the Hoggard defense — playing a majority of its subs — held West Bladen scoreless through the entire 16 minutes. The lady Vikings held a 63-13 edge after three quarters and then outscored the Lady Knights 11-0 in the fourth frame to seal the win.
“Sometimes it can be hard to gauge a lot from the first game,” McCleney said. “We’re going to work hard and hopefully show some improvement Friday night.”
Singletary led the Lady Knights with five points and Seniah Johnson added four points.
West Bladen will open Three Rivers Conference play on Friday at 6 p.m. with a game at Fairmont.