By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
The Sylvan Hills Lady Bears dropped their third-straight game at the Beebe Christmas tournament on Tuesday, falling 57-46 to Brookland in the seventh-place game at Badger Arena. Brookland took command quickly, utilizing full-court pressure to force seven Sylvan Hills turnovers.
The Lady Bears had only one true ball handler in senior Jessica Brasfield, and the Lady Bearcats double- and sometimes triple-teamed her at midcourt.
The result was a 19-6 lead at the end of the first quarter, but the Lady Bears mounted a comeback in the second. Sylvan Hills coach Shelley Davis made some adjustments in attacking the Brookland press, and Sylvan Hills pulled to within 28-18 by halftime. The Lady Bears also scored the first four points of the second half to get within 28-22, butthe Brookland girls took over from there.
The Lady Bearcats went on a 15-2 run to take a 43-24 advantage.
Sylvan Hills still didn’t quit working. Storm Ellis and Makayla Smith combined for three 3-pointers and the Lady Bears pulled back to within 9 points late in the fourth quarter.
Smith came off the bench to lead Sylvan Hills with 13 points, 11 of which came in the fourth period. Ellis and Sarah Beckwith each added eight for the Lady Bears. Rachel Gramling scored 16 to lead Brookland while Alexa Thompson scored 14 and Menley Long added 11.
