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Blues Defeat Spartans 54-24 in Jaden Baker Tourney
The Parry McCluer High School girls basketball team made the most of its lone game in the Fighting Blues’ annual Jaden Baker Tournament, routing Giles 54-24 in Buena Vista on Friday evening.
Victoria Hamilton dropped 26 points to lead the Blues (2-0) to a lopsided victory over the Spartans (1-6). Hamilton also had seven rebounds, four steals and three assists. PM’s Saturday matchup with North Cross was postponed, leaving the home team with just one showcase in the 10th rendition of the event. The annual basketball tournament at PM honors the memory of Buena Vista native Jaden Baker, an 8-year-old who died in a car accident in 2013.
Emory Slagle chipped in 12 points, four steals and four rebounds for the Blues in Friday’s game, while Natalie Mohler notched eight marker, eight assists, five boards and two steals. Peira Conner added six points and led PM with nine rebounds and two blocks. Addie Lowry and Lainy Sharp scored six points apiece to pace Giles.
Propelled by 10 first-quarter points from Hamilton, the Blues opened the game on a 17-0 run. They would extend the margin to 31-5 by halftime, holding the Spartans to just one field goal – a Sharp 3-pointer midway through the second period – before the intermission.
“I thought we got off to a really good start; the execution was pretty good there in the first quarter,” PM head coach Adam Gilbert said. “That settled us into the ballgame, and overall we played pretty well tonight.”
Hamilton, who led the Blues in scoring last season on her way to Pioneer District player of the year honors, has picked up where she left off at the end of her junior campaign. Against Giles, she attacked the basket early on, eventually stepping out onto the perimeter to bury a few jump shots.
PM may lean even more heavily on the versatile 5-foot-9-inch senior for point production this season, and early indications are that she’s up to the task.
“It’s no secret: Victoria is one of our better offensive players,” Gilbert said. “When she scores at a high clip, we’re going to be in some games.”
Giles posted the first two buckets of the second half, pulling to within 31-9 inside the opening minute of the third quarter. But a Slagle trey – her second of the game – and another Hamilton hoop nipped any potential run in the bud, and PM coasted to the victory.
With Hamilton and Mohler already established as offensive threats, getting Slagle into double figures on a regular basis could be a big key for the Blues this season. The sophomore is also sliding into a different role on the court, starting at the point guard spot.
“It’s kind of out of her comfort zone. She’s not a true point guard; she really is a two-guard, and she has that ability to step out and shoot the basketball,” Gilbert said of Slagle. “It was nice to see her catch fire there in the first half and hit a few shots. Hopefully, that confidence will grow as the season progresses.”
Add in half a dozen markers from Conner – a senior forward who always contributes on the glass and the defensive end – and things are coming together nicely for the Blues.
“She’s a go-getter; she’s a gamer,” Gilbert said of Conner. “She’s going to do the little things to keep you in a ballgame. If Peira’s able to chip in with six to 10 points a game, we’re going to be pretty decent.”
Auburn recorded two victories at the Jaden Baker Tournament, defeating North Cross 40-10 on Friday and slipping past Amherst County 63-56 on Saturday afternoon. The all-tournament team featured Hamilton, Lowry, Auburn’s Carli Christian and Johnnie Gaynor, Hannah Hooper of Amherst and Remington Lewis from North Cross.
PM was slated to play host to Glenvar on Monday. The Blues will entertain Nelson County on Thursday, beginning with the junior varsity game at 5:30 p.m. After Christmas, the Blues will make the short trip to Lexington to face local rival Rockbridge County next Friday, Dec. 27 at the RC gym. The day will start with the JV girls’ game at 1 p.m., followed by the JV boys’ game at 2:30 p.m. the varsity girls’ game at 4 p.m., and the varsity boys’ game at 5:30 p.m.
