GPS coach Susan Crownover won’t be instituting any 10 a.m. basketball practices in the near future, but she found herself mildly satisfied with her team’s performance in a game at that time Monday.
Simone Busby led three players in double figures with 19 points, and the Bruisers led wire to wire in a 62-40 victory over Arts & Sciences in the first round of the Times Free Press Best of Preps Tournament in the CSAS gym.
The Bruisers will face Tyner in a semifinal today at 4 p.m. CSAS will battle Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe in the consolation bracket at 10 a.m.
Crownover called a timeout in the game’s first two minutes.
“Early on, we acted like the basketball was a hot potato,” she said. “Fundamentally, we weren’t that good on defense.”
The team responded to the timeout, as Busby had nine points in the first quarter and 17 in the first half. Chadarryl Clay had 11 of her 13 in the first half as the Bruisers (6-0) built a 39-21 lead and were able to cruise in the second half.
“We didn’t play our best, but we were good enough,” Crownover said. “I’m glad to get our win – and we’ll take it – but we have to have higher expectations for ourselves.”
Robyn Anthony and Courtney McPherson, the two returners from the Lady Patriots’ Class A state tourney team, scored 14 and nine points.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6311. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/gh3sports.