Basketball: Highland Bears remain top of National League with win over Edinburgh
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Highland Bears Under-14 girls team consolidated their position at the top of the National League with another emphatic victory when they defeated City of Edinburgh winning 79-32.
Having a full squad at his disposal, head coach Ross Waldie was able to field his strongest team.
Opening the scoring with perfect free-throw shooting, Scotland internationalist Grace Alexander proved her ability by scoring from all ranges in the opening period to lead all scorers with 23 points.
While fellow internationalist Emily Seago also fired in from all ranges for 14 points.
With both players being rested for most of the game. it gave ample opportunity for the Bears squad to show their potential. Captain Lexi Kershaw demonstrated her court awareness to progress the ball up the court effortlessly as she scored seven points.
Along with starters Chloe Sanderson (10 points) and Olivia MacLennan (4 points) the Bears proved their offensive domination to finish the opening period 26-4 up.
The break gave the visitors a chance to regroup and came out with a renewed confidence and scored the first five points before the Bears Emma MacMillan got into her stride with six points while brilliant defence from Eva Skinner and Isla Webster curtailed any comeback.
Excellent assists again from Esmee Wilson (3 points) along with strong rebounding from the twin pillars of Jessica Waldie (4 points) and Isla Devlin (6 points) ensured the Bears controlled the boards to go in with a half time lead of 41-13.
Any thoughts of a surprise comeback were quashed as Hannah Thomas (2 points) forced the visitors into numerous turnovers in the third period leading to further assists for her teammates as they stretched the lead to the final buzzer.
Highland Bears are set to play the Inverness Lions on Wednesday night at Inverness Royal Academy Sports Complex at 6:30pm.
