{"id":21734,"date":"2024-11-23T05:54:27","date_gmt":"2024-11-23T10:54:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/?p=21734"},"modified":"2024-11-23T05:54:28","modified_gmt":"2024-11-23T10:54:28","slug":"braves-dominate-on-road-at-11-jay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/2024\/11\/23\/braves-dominate-on-road-at-11-jay\/","title":{"rendered":"Braves dominate on road at #11 Jay"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>RANDY HISNER<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>WZBD.com<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One thing is for certain after the Bellmont Braves\u2019 66-37 shellacking of the Jay County Patriots Friday night: The state 3A girls\u2019 basketball rankings are in for a major revision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Patriots (2-1) were ranked 11<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;heading into the game, the Braves 15<sup>th<\/sup>. And it was on Jay County\u2019s floor too. No matter. The lower-ranked Braves (4-0) took control early, jumping out to a 16-8 first quarter lead on the strength of three-pointers by Kate Kitson, Emily Bleke, Lanie French, and Ashley Bleke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3517.jpeg?resize=640%2C427&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21737\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3517-scaled.jpeg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3517-scaled.jpeg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3517-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3517-scaled.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3517-scaled.jpeg?resize=2048%2C1365&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3517-scaled.jpeg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3517-scaled.jpeg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Kate Kitson looks for an open teammate Friday at Jay County. (Photo by Randy Hisner)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Blekeinterview1122.mp3\"><\/audio><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Emily Bleke discusses her expectations coming into Friday&#8217;s game against Jay County and how the depth of the Braves&#8217; bench affects the team. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Emily Bleke\u2019s four points led Bellmont to an 11-5 second quarter advantage, and the Braves had more than doubled the score on the Pats at halftime, 27-13. Sophomore sensation Hallie Schwieterman, who was averaging 27 points coming into the game, scored all but two of the Patriots\u2019 first-half points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"580\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3522.jpeg?resize=640%2C580&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21741\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3522-scaled.jpeg?resize=1024%2C928&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3522-scaled.jpeg?resize=300%2C272&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3522-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C696&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3522-scaled.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1391&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3522-scaled.jpeg?resize=2048%2C1855&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3522-scaled.jpeg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3522-scaled.jpeg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Emily Bleke draws contact and a foul from Jay County at the free throw line. (Photo by Randy Hisner)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Then it was time for the Bellmont freshman duo of Kaitlyn Barton and Ashley Bleke to shine in the third quarter. Barton nailed a three and a pair of two-pointers for seven points, and Bleke hit two buckets and two-of-two free throws for six points as the Braves scored 20 while holding Jay County to eight. That gave the Braves a 47-21 lead, and Bellmont coach Andy Heim comfortably distributed playing time to his bench in the final period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Freshmen Hadley Caffee (4), Ashley Bleke (5), Barton (4), and Mary Bleke (2) combined for 15 of Bellmont\u2019s 19 fourth-quarter points to give the Braves a 19-16 edge and the final 29-point margin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Braves\u2019 depth was too much for the Patriots to match. Ten players scored for Bellmont, and Heim kept everyone fresh by substituting often. \u201cAt one point in time in every single game we\u2019ve played so far, I\u2019ve looked at the other team and they\u2019re gassed,\u201d said Heim, \u201cand we\u2019re sitting on the bench cheering and ready to go in. It helps, obviously.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3526.jpeg?resize=640%2C427&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21742\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3526-scaled.jpeg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3526-scaled.jpeg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3526-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3526-scaled.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3526-scaled.jpeg?resize=2048%2C1365&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3526-scaled.jpeg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3526-scaled.jpeg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Emily Bleke cheers from the bench as Bri Converset works around a pick by Mary Bleke in the fourth quarter. (Photo by Randy Hisner)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Senior star Emily Bleke agreed. \u201cI need a break now and then,\u201d she said, \u201cand I know when subs come in they\u2019re going to bring the same energy, maybe even more intensity, and we\u2019ll keep the ball rolling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3487.jpeg?resize=640%2C427&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21739\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3487-scaled.jpeg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3487-scaled.jpeg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3487-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3487-scaled.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3487-scaled.jpeg?resize=2048%2C1365&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3487-scaled.jpeg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3487-scaled.jpeg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Kaitlyn Barton gets around a defender as Emily Bleke cuts underneath. (Photo by Randy Hisner)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Heim was confident coming into the game, stating that he thought the Braves had the edge at every position, with the possible exception of the Schwieterman matchup, but even he didn\u2019t anticipate such a rout. \u201cHonestly, was I expecting that? No,\u201d he said. \u201cBut our execution tonight in the full court and running was phenomenal.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/2024-11-23T005145Z.mp3\"><\/audio><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Head coach Andy Heim spoke with the Z Team about his team&#8217;s win on the road Friday. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The result was an anomaly in the history of the two teams\u2019 rivalry. Though the Braves notched a fairly comfortable 50-33 win last year, the perennial ACAC powerhouse Patriots had won the previous three games, including a 25-point blowout just three years ago. They had also won 10 of 13 against Heim\u2019s Braves before Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the number of underclassmen playing key roles for the Braves, it seems that the edge for the next few years at least could belong to Bellmont.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ashley Bleke led Bellmont in scoring with 14. Emily Bleke and Barton each scored 13. Kitson had six, Oni Krueckeberg five, Kamryn Jarvis and Caffee four, French three. Gwen Laurent and Mary Bleke added two each.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3545.jpeg?resize=640%2C427&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21738\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3545-scaled.jpeg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3545-scaled.jpeg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3545-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3545-scaled.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3545-scaled.jpeg?resize=2048%2C1365&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3545-scaled.jpeg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3545-scaled.jpeg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Kamryn Jarvis goes to the rim for two. (Photo by Randy Hisner)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Schwieterman led Jay County with 15. Amelia Heath scored nine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bellmont will host Heritage Saturday, with the game set to be heard on 92.7 FM. Tuesday&#8217;s matchup against Adams Central will also be broadcast by WZBD. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>RANDY HISNER WZBD.com One thing is for certain after the Bellmont Braves\u2019 66-37 shellacking of the Jay County<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":21740,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[41,13,15,26],"class_list":["post-21734","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports","tag-basketball","tag-bellmont","tag-featured","tag-sports"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3497-scaled.jpeg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21734","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21734"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21734\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21743,"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21734\/revisions\/21743"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21740"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21734"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21734"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21734"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}