Injured Bulldogs still dangerous

January 18, 2001

Injured Bulldogs still dangerous

By DAN KAUFFMAN / Staff Writer

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - It's hard to believe Martinsburg's girls basketball team is playing at less than full strength. Jefferson isn't buying it at all.

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The Bulldogs played without starters Danielle Murray and Lauren Askin on Wednesday, and didn't need them. LaSha Anderson scored 16 of her 21 points in the first half of a near-perfect display of basketball, as Martinsburg ran around and through the Cougars, 75-44.

"When Lauren went down ... we needed some leadership," Martinsburg coach Don Bullett said. "She (LaSha) has been our leader, and I wanted her to be more vocal and step up her game."

"Every game, we get better," Anderson said. "When we get all better, we'll be ready to go again."

For now, the Bulldogs (8-3) are doing fine at less than full strength. Murray is in the hospital with a condition thought to be pneumonia, while Askin has a torn ACL and will have her knee scoped Monday. In addition, Tiffany Twigg just recently returned to action herself and is recovering from her own ACL injury.

However, Martinsburg shot out of the blocks against Jefferson (5-3), forcing the Cougars into 18 turnovers while taking a 38-18 lead at halftime on runs of 6-0, 14-2 and 10-0 throughout the half.

"We have three losses, and the key in all three losses is turnovers," Jefferson coach Cheryl Roberts said.

Anderson led the Martinsburg charge throughout the half, slashing to the basket for three layups en route to 10 points in the opening quarter. She opened the second quarter with consecutive 3-pointers from the left corner, and the Bulldogs were off.

Three other players scored in double figures for Martinsburg. Erika Williams had 11, Maggie Robinson had 10 and Te Peters helped fill in for Murray with 10 of her own off the bench.

"We will miss both players, but we have kids coming off the bench and we expect them to step it up," Bullett said.

Genelle Botje led Jefferson with 20 points, making all nine of her field goals inside the paint.

No. 2 Martinsburg 75, Jefferson 44

JEFFERSON (44)

Crowe 3, Edwards 9, Botje 20, Jenkins 2, Underwood 4, Brosh 1, Reed 3, Fleming 2. Totals 17 9-11 44.

MARTINSBURG (75)

Anderson 21, M. Robinson 10, T. Robinson 8, Williams 11, Peters 10, Merceruio 2, Johnson 4, Pittsnogle 3, Twigg 4, Luna 2. Totals 32 9-13 75.

Jefferson108917-44

Martinsburg22161522-75

Three-point goals-Martinsburg 2 (Anderson 2), Jefferson 1 (Reed).

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