Things are heating up on the hardwood for the Ladycats basketball team . . .

Traveling to Hampton for a section match-up, January 13, and looking to improve their record 11-2 overall and 5-1 in section play, was a success.

Unexpectedly there was a game delay at the school when they arrived—the fire alarm went off—but this didn’t put out the fire the Ladycats brought with them. Taking the lead early in the first quarter, it was 7-0 in the first 2 minutes.

The Ladycats never let off the gas and continued to add to the lead with the end score 48-24.

Sophomore Annsley Baker led with 13 points, and senior Samantha Springman followed with 11.

Hampton wrapped up the Cats’ first round of section play; now all teams play each other one more time to see who is the section champion.

With Blackhawk sitting at first in the section and Beaver at second, the Cougars and Ladycats could share the section title if Beaver Area wins their second game January 16, after losing to Blackhawk earlier in the season.

Blackhawk took the lead in the first quarter 7-1, and Beaver Area couldn’t find their stride.

Then, at the half the Cats were down 10, and Blackhawk went on a 14-0 run.

The Ladycats fell once again to the Ladycougars, but this would not stop them from capturing their playoff spot.

Back at their home court, the Ladycats hosted Canon-Mac for a non-section match-up January 21. With Beaver Area being a 4A school, Canon-Mac had the upper hand since they are a powerhouse 6A school.

The score after the first quarter showed that both teams got off to a slow start, 11-6, with Canon-Mac leading.

The Ladycats were able to hold their own the whole game until the last few minutes; Beaver Area lost 47-37.

Leading scorers for Beaver Area were Baker with 21 points and Springman added 9. This would give the Cats their second loss in a row and their record was 11-4.

The Ladycats’ next game gave them an opportunity to add a win to their record. The Ambridge Bridgers traveled to Beaver for a section game January 23.

The matchup was also the Ladycats’ Senior night. Beaver Area’s seniors are Kylie Conley, Emerson Connelly, Chloe Tooch, and Springman.

To make the celebratory night even better, the Ladycats rolled right through Ambridge for an impressive 56-10 win on senior night. Baker had 28 for the Ladycats and Connelly had 8 points.

The next game was against the Hopewell Vikings January 26 still on their home court.

The Ladycats came out with a lot of energy and swept Hopewell in the season series, 56-42.

January 30, Beaver Area hosted rival Central Valley; this was going to be a huge game for both teams.

And Central Valley must have known it as they came ready to play and held a lead over the Bobcats for the first half. The second half the Ladycats battled back until the last few seconds—it was 56-54 when sophomore Bridget Mayo hit two clutch free throws to put the game into overtime.

Beaver Area was able to pull out a 67-63.

Four of the five starters put up points for the Ladycats: Baker led with 20, junior Ava Wright followed with 16, Connelly had 14, and Mayo had 10 points.

The Ladycats take on the Lincoln Park Leopards away February 2. See the next BASD ECHO for late season coverage.