It may have taken 30 years, but, for the first time in school history, the Beth Haven Lady Bearcats can call themselves Holiday Classic champions after a 51-30 win over Eminence Dec. 28 capped an impressive three-day run through their home tournament.
More than just a single victory though, the run signifies a move towards something Head Coach Shawn Mattingly has pushed for since his first day – restoring pride back to the program.
“This was huge for me,” Mattingly said. “I didn’t get to win it as a player and the little bit I coached when I came out of high school. Being around Beth Haven as long as I have and knowing the history of the tournament, this was huge for us and I’m very excited. I don’t think it really sinks into the kids while they’re in the moment. Sometimes, you just don’t realize what you’re apart of while you’re going through it.”
It also could serve as a springboard of sorts as Mattingly noted that two of his most important players, sophomore guard Alexis Bowles and senior center Hayley Rader, had breakout performances.
“Any game this tournament when we had trouble, one of them stepped up and took the game over,” Mattingly said. “Against Heritage, we had a really rough start in the first half and Hayley took over and kept us in the game and, in the second half, Alexis took over and led us the rest of the way. I expect no less from them moving forward and definitely more. I expect Hayley to contend for the school’s single-game rebounding record and I expect the same attitude, effort and production. I know that those two will do it, and I know that we have three or four other girls that can step in and make a big play as well.”
Bowles, a captain on the squad, earned tournament MVP honors after racking up 54 points, 18 rebounds and seven steals in three games. Her biggest performance came in the tournament’s opening game, a 58-28 dismantling of Brown, as she willed her to team to victory behind 29 points, three steals and six rebounds.
“Alexis kinda started our run in that first game,” Mattingly said. “She just really stepped up and asserted herself as a captain, and they all kind of followed her leadership. When she figures out how good she is, she can score just as much as anyone in the region and maybe in the state. She can put up 20 to 30 on a given night if she wants to, and she can drive and attack the basket on anybody.”
Rader wasn’t half bad either though, challenging the school record of 28 rebounds in a game twice in three games to claim All-Tournament team honors. After starting slow with just four points, eight rebounds and one steal against Brown, Rader responded in the tournament’s remaining two games, tallying 30 points, 41 rebounds, five steals and five blocks.
“Hayley is just a ferocious competitor,” Mattingly said “She has played a little bit of basketball – not a whole lot of high school basketball – but she wants to win and she comes out and spreads that desire. When we’re having issues defensively, she steps in there and fills a huge gap. She knows that she’s going to fill a role and whatever it is that night – rebounding or defense – she does what we need.”
Day one:
Beth Haven 58, Brown 28 –
In the first game of the James A. Hall Holiday Classic, the Lady Bearcats defeated the Lady Bears (1-5) 58-28. Alexis Bowles led Beth Haven with 29 points and Kenzie Davis added 13 rebounds in a game that saw six Beth Haven players have five or more rebounds. Madison Cockroft had 12 to lead Brown in scoring. Other top performers for Beth Haven include Lina Brown, who notched five points, four steals and seven rebounds, and Becca Sharp, who added eight points and seven rebounds.
Day two:
Beth Haven 49, Heritage Academy 34 –
In arguably the most important game of the tournament, Hayley Rader turned in her biggest performance with 19 points, 21 rebounds and three blocked shots, while Alexis Bowles added 16 points of her own and held Eminence’s leading scorer, Taylor Schwartz, to two points in a crucial second half rally. Other top performers for Beth Haven include Anna Brown, who added eight points and three rebounds in the win.
Day three:
Beth Haven 51, Eminence 30 –
Beth Haven won the Holiday Classic for the first time in school history, powering past the Lady Warriors in the second half with a 23-12 surge. Alexis Bowles was the tournament most valuable player and finished with nine points, five rebounds, and four steals, while Hayley Rader added 11 points and grabbed 20 rebounds. Other top performers for Beth Haven include Michaela Morgan, who added eight points and seven rebounds in the win, and the Brown sisters, who combined for 21 points and 11 rebounds.
All-Tournament Team:
Madison Cockcroft – Brown
Ethington – Eminence
Taylor Schwartz – Heritage Academy
Hayley Rader – Beth Haven
Tournament MVP – Alexis Bowles (Beth Haven)
— Gregg Waddell
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