Malden girls overcome Senath-Hornersville in Bootheel Conference Tournament opener

The Malden girls basketball team (8-8) entered the Bootheel Conference Tournament as the No. 3 seed after a week off due to the winter weather. Pushed forth by resolute focus in the meantime, their confidence on the court made all the difference as the Green Wave knocked out No. 6 Senath-Hornersville in a 52-41 victory Friday night.

“I think my team is pretty close off the court as well,” Malden head coach Alexis Roberson said. “Them continuing to talk and keep their mind on the game is, I think, what made the difference with this break. I sent them messages daily reminding them what they need to be working on. Staying focused during a week of break was key for us.”

Extra factors played into this rescheduled first round game as every team in contention was left with unknowns following an absence from the court. In Malden’s case, however, things worked out just fine.

Malden’s Jada Townsend opened the game with a quick layup which was followed up by five free throw attempts on both ends of the court. Townsend broke the free throw streak with two layups, and after one more by Angela Dobbins the Green Wave took a 10-4 lead at the buzzer.

Contending with a forceful Green Wave defense, Senath-Hornersville’s four points in the first quarter were the result of three trips to the charity stripe.

“On the defensive side we had much better communication,” Roberson said. “We did what we’ve been practicing for two weeks. We haven’t had a game since Portageville, so it’s been a long two weeks for us. They came out, remembered what we practiced before all this ice, and that’s all I can ask as a coach.”

Dobbins opened the second quarter with yet another pair of free throws. After back and forth two-point plays, Senath-Hornersville’s Kaya Horton swiped in a layup to maintain the Lions’ six point deficit.

Consecutive three-pointers thrown in by Malden’s Brydon Maddox and Mariah Loya spearheaded a Green Wave breakaway, and by halftime Malden led 32-18.

Their advantage was somewhat short-lived, though, as Senath-Hornersville’s Lyvana Reyes-Lopez opened the second half with a two-point jumper. Preceded by another Malden free throw, the Lions’ Jada Burlison tossed in a three-pointer to cut the gap to 10 points in the opening minutes of the third quarter.

Senath-Hornersville's Jada Burlison looks for an opening while guarded by Malden defenders Friday night during the Bootheel Conference Tournament at Hayti High School.Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

As the contest slowed, Senath-Hornersville outscored Malden in the third quarter, albeit narrowly, at 8-7.

While Malden held onto a healthy lead, Senath-Hornersville’s Halle Jamerson scored first in the fourth quarter with a two-point just shot – and with two rapid three-point shots the Lions trailed by 13 points with just over two minutes remaining.

Feeling confident with their chances for a win, the Malden bench celebrated by performing a sitting rendition of the YMCA dance as it played during a timeout. Immediately following, Senath-Hornersville’s Burlison ignited the Lions’ bench with another three-pointer and a free throw.

Senath-Hornersville had narrowed the gap to nine points, then seven points with just over a minute left and they once again outscored Malden in the fourth quarter. But Malden’s first half advantage was too much to overcome and the Green Wave scored two more layups before the game was over.

“Looking at point scoring, everybody contributed and everyone pitched in,” Roberson said. “It’s a team effort – you can’t win with just one or two people – so when everybody comes out and gets on the board that’s what we’re looking for.”

Jada Townsend led Malden in scoring with 14 points. She was followed by Angela Dobbins with 10 points, Rachel Rommel with eight, Sydni Haliburton with six, Mariah Loya and Brydon Maddox each with five, and Hestania Jackson with four.

The Lions were paced by Jada Burlison with 11 points, followed by Halle Jamerson and Kaya Horton with nine apiece, Lyvana Reyes-Lopez with five, Brennan Lane with four and Accountess Lewis with three.

Malden will advance to play No. 2 Holcomb Saturday at 2:15 p.m. Holcomb defeated No. 7 South Pemiscot Friday night as well in a decisive 49-35 game.

For Malden, it will be the chance for redemption.

“I’m excited to play Holcomb,” Roberson said. “We played them earlier in the season and they beat us by two points. It’s going to be a very competitive game. Any game where my girls can get better is a fun one to play, so I’m excited.”