Bellmont Braves (1-1) at Bishop Dwenger Saints (1-2), Tuesday, November 14th at 7:30 p.m.
After a shaky start to the season Friday at Woodlan, and even extending into the first half of Saturday’s home game against North Side, the Bellmont Braves looked a little more familiar in the second half against the Legends and pulled away at the end thanks to solid play by Emily Bleke and Kamryn Jarvis.
The absence of Hailey Cole is obvious, but Jarvis is filling in for the senior and doing a decent job of it, averaging double-digit points so far. The Braves are only playing a rotation of six girls right now and that will be tested this week with three games in five days.
Once Cole comes back (Coach Andy Heim says there is no fear of any long-term damage to Cole’s shoulder), the team will have a much different look and Jarvis will have more experience when she enters the game if Cole gets into foul trouble. Gwen Laurent continues to develop with more playing time and Arabelle Laurent has been a steady hand and good defender in the first 64 minutes of the season.
Series History
The Braves have had no trouble with the Saints over the past three years, which have all been wins for Bellmont. The Braves last lost to the Saints at Dwenger in November of 2019. After that loss, the team won 13 of the next 14.
Bellmont trails in the all-time series, 13-18.
Players to Watch
Giselle Eke is a 6’2″ senior for the Saints who could pose a formidable challenge down low to Jarvis. The Braves without Cole will have to find a way to stay out of foul trouble. Eke is headed to Saint Francis on a basketball scholarship next year. That’s St. Francis in Pennsylvania, if you were wondering. The lefty is a big part of the Saints’ plan this year and the Braves would do well to attempt to get Eke in her own foul trouble to help their cause Tuesday night.