It was the same cast of characters — with different players taking on leading roles Friday night — as the Beach High girls basketball team produced the latest episode in its successful season.
The Bulldogs beat visiting Pike County 71-57 to advance to the GHSA Class AAA Elite Eight. Beach (27-3) will host Chapel Hill at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Pike County started out strong with a 7-2 run, but Beach immediately clamped down defensively to take control of the game.
The Bulldogs went on a 14-7 run to close out the quarter and never slowed down despite a spirited effort from the Pirates.
“They were a well-balanced team. I thought they mirrored us with their speed and athleticism,” Beach coach Ronald Booker said. “I was impressed with our tenacity. The girls played hard and did what we asked them to do. The girls aren’t afraid to play an ugly game. When you hustle, it’s not going to be about finesse. It can get ugly.”
Senior Jademone Jones had her best game of the season for the Bulldogs, playing a rugged brand of basketball in the paint. The 5-foot-10 power forward grabbed 15 rebounds to complement 15 points. She hit 7 of 9 from the free-throw line.
“I tease Jademone because she is capable of that kind of game every night,” Booker said. “Tonight she was the key, and we rode her on offense and defense, especially with her rebounding.”
Beach led 36-23 at halftime and kept the pressure up in the third quarter, outscoring the Pirates 20-12 to take a 21-point lead into the final quarter.
Pike County doesn’t have a senior on the roster. But the Pirates have a talented crew of juniors including Lauren Duncan, who scored 19 points, Kristen Beckham (16) and Shaineequah Fluellyn (10).
But the Pirates were no match for Beach’s relentless defense. Sophomore sixth-man Jacqueline Anderson had another impressive performance. The guard stands just 5-6 but plays with an intensity that sets her apart.
Anderson scored six points, four on putbacks, and grabbed nine rebounds to go with four assists.
“We talk about rebounding with fire,” Booker said. “And Jacqueline may not be big, but she is a tremendous athlete. She is strong for her size. She helps out our forwards because she is always coming in to crash the boards.”
The usual suspects made big contributions for Beach as sophomore guard Ilyn Spann scored 13 points on an assortment of impressive runners, while dishing out five assists.
Her sister, junior Irie Spann, converted six of 10 free throws to score nine points with eight assists and three steals.
Jada Young had 11 points and nine rebounds, while Ollie Steadman (nine points) and Ty’Nika Johnson (eight) also dominated in the post.
“They (Pike County) were pretty tough,” Irie Spann said. “They were one of the only teams we faced this year that never gave up, even when they were down by 20. But we kept pushing hard and were able to keep things under control in the second half.”
This is the first trip to the Elite Eight for Spann. The Bulldogs advanced to the Sweet 16 her freshman year and were eliminated in the first round of the state playoffs last season — both of those campaigns being played in Class AAAAA.
Trying to remember specifics about playoff runs was tougher for Booker, in his 35th year leading the Bulldogs. He distinctly remembers the state title the Bulldogs won in 2000. But he wasn’t certain as he searched his memory banks about how many times the Bulldogs have reached the Elite Eight in his tenure.
A look at the Georgia High School Basketball Project (GHSB.com) revealed this is the 10th time the Bulldogs have gone this deep in the playoffs under Booker, including the championship run in 2000 and a semifinal berth in 2009.
“I think we have a chance to take it all the way this year,” Irie Spann said. “We want to take these next three games. But coach has got us focused on winning one game at a time.”
PIKE COUNTY (57)
King 8, Shaineequah Fluellyn 10, Kristen Beckham 16, Lauren Duncan 19, Andrews 2, Daniels 2.
BEACH (71)
Anderson 6, Ilyn Spann 13, Irie Spann 9, Jada Young 11, Steadman 9, Jademone Jones 15, Johnson 8.
Halftime—Beach 36-23. Records—Beach 27-3; Pike County 18-9.