Bulloch Academy’s parquet basketball court is a sight to behold, but extremely high humidity Friday night turned sections of it as slick as glass.
So slippery was the surface, in fact, that the officiating crew from the Southern Basketball Officials deemed the conditions a safety hazard and suspended the Bulloch Academy-Memorial Day School varsity girls’ basketball game. The varsity boys’ game never began.
“It’s safety first when dealing with student-athletes on any type of playing field,” said Bulloch Academy athletic director Clint Morgan. “The court was deemed unplayable by the officials for safety reasons. It was a direct result of the night’s humidity. This is the first time in the eight-year history of the gymnasium that this has happened.”
After the announcement was made that the game had been suspended, the trio of officials received applause from parents and other fans alike.
“You always have to err on the side of safety,” said BA head coach Paul Webb. “The officials did the right thing.”
The contest was suspended at the 3:18 mark of the second quarter after a rash of slips and falls from players on both sides. The Lady Gators were holding a 26-11 lead over their Region 2-AA foe at the time of the decision.
“The game will begin at the exact point where it was stopped,” said Morgan. “Tentatively, it will be held here on Jan. 19 at 6 p.m. with the boys’ game to immediately follow.”
The conditions were evident in the later stages of the earlier B-team boys’ game, when officials repeatedly called for areas of the court to be dried with towels and dry mops. Bulloch game-management personnel tried to keep the moisture off the floor in the following girls’ game as well, but conditions worsened and forced the officials to action.
Prior to the game being called, the Lady Gators (6-4) had their way with the Lady Matadors (2-7).
Bulloch ran out to an 11-0 lead by the 3:50 mark of the first quarter and had an 18-8 advantage when the buzzer sounded.
“We had some success early working the ball inside,” said Webb. “Kinsley Mallard, Heaven Hinton, Kaylee Lanier and Kate Martin combined to do a great job.”
Taking the ball to the hole early and often helped Bulloch get to the free-throw line. The Lady Gators responded to the opportunity, netting 11 of 17 from the charity stripe. Leading scorer Kacie Lanier hit her two while Addie Reddick was three of four and Mallard was three of five. Lanier led the BA girls with seven points while both Reddick and Mallard had five each.
“Free-throw shooting is something that’s a staple at our practices,” said Webb. “I thought the girls did very well from the line tonight.”
The Lady Gators also played well on defense and did a good job rebounding.
“The number one thing we stress is playing good defense,” said Webb. “The girls are getting better at that.”
With six wins, the Lady Gators have equaled their last season total and Webb gives a lot of the credit to former coach Jim Higgins.
“He laid a good foundation with these young girls last year,” said Webb.
“He taught them how to work hard. I have been really pleased at how well the girls have responded to what we are trying to teach them.”
In the earlier B-team boys’ game, Jonathan Williamson netted nine points while both Paul Son and Taylor Burke added eight each to lead the Gators to a thrilling 37-34 victory. Sal Sanchez and Daniel Hancock scored 14 points apiece for the Matadors.
Bulloch’s varsity and B-team squads will take the court tonight when they travel to Bellville to battle cross-county rival Pinewood Christian Academy.
So slippery was the surface, in fact, that the officiating crew from the Southern Basketball Officials deemed the conditions a safety hazard and suspended the Bulloch Academy-Memorial Day School varsity girls’ basketball game. The varsity boys’ game never began.
“It’s safety first when dealing with student-athletes on any type of playing field,” said Bulloch Academy athletic director Clint Morgan. “The court was deemed unplayable by the officials for safety reasons. It was a direct result of the night’s humidity. This is the first time in the eight-year history of the gymnasium that this has happened.”
After the announcement was made that the game had been suspended, the trio of officials received applause from parents and other fans alike.
“You always have to err on the side of safety,” said BA head coach Paul Webb. “The officials did the right thing.”
The contest was suspended at the 3:18 mark of the second quarter after a rash of slips and falls from players on both sides. The Lady Gators were holding a 26-11 lead over their Region 2-AA foe at the time of the decision.
“The game will begin at the exact point where it was stopped,” said Morgan. “Tentatively, it will be held here on Jan. 19 at 6 p.m. with the boys’ game to immediately follow.”
The conditions were evident in the later stages of the earlier B-team boys’ game, when officials repeatedly called for areas of the court to be dried with towels and dry mops. Bulloch game-management personnel tried to keep the moisture off the floor in the following girls’ game as well, but conditions worsened and forced the officials to action.
Prior to the game being called, the Lady Gators (6-4) had their way with the Lady Matadors (2-7).
Bulloch ran out to an 11-0 lead by the 3:50 mark of the first quarter and had an 18-8 advantage when the buzzer sounded.
“We had some success early working the ball inside,” said Webb. “Kinsley Mallard, Heaven Hinton, Kaylee Lanier and Kate Martin combined to do a great job.”
Taking the ball to the hole early and often helped Bulloch get to the free-throw line. The Lady Gators responded to the opportunity, netting 11 of 17 from the charity stripe. Leading scorer Kacie Lanier hit her two while Addie Reddick was three of four and Mallard was three of five. Lanier led the BA girls with seven points while both Reddick and Mallard had five each.
“Free-throw shooting is something that’s a staple at our practices,” said Webb. “I thought the girls did very well from the line tonight.”
The Lady Gators also played well on defense and did a good job rebounding.
“The number one thing we stress is playing good defense,” said Webb. “The girls are getting better at that.”
With six wins, the Lady Gators have equaled their last season total and Webb gives a lot of the credit to former coach Jim Higgins.
“He laid a good foundation with these young girls last year,” said Webb.
“He taught them how to work hard. I have been really pleased at how well the girls have responded to what we are trying to teach them.”
In the earlier B-team boys’ game, Jonathan Williamson netted nine points while both Paul Son and Taylor Burke added eight each to lead the Gators to a thrilling 37-34 victory. Sal Sanchez and Daniel Hancock scored 14 points apiece for the Matadors.
Bulloch’s varsity and B-team squads will take the court tonight when they travel to Bellville to battle cross-county rival Pinewood Christian Academy.
