Still Undefeated: Honeybees double up previously unbeaten Godley in second half for tournament title

By BRAD KEITH

Photos by RUSSELL HUFFMAN

TheFlashToday.com

Sport: (December 6, 2014) — In a battle of 4A unbeatens for the championship in the Glen Rose Lions Club tournament Saturday night, No. 6 Stephenville (9-0) doubled up No. 18 Godley (9-1) in the second half to claim a 51-46 victory.

The Stephenville Honeybees are a perfect 9-0 after winning the championship in a tournament hosted by the Glen Rose Lions club. || Photo by RUSSELL HUFFMAN

The Honeybees overcame an eight-point halftime deficit once their shots final started to fall.

“We just couldn’t hit anything early. We had good looks, we just couldn’t get them to go down,” said Stephenville head coach Alan Thorpe, who has guided the Honeybees to the regional tournament each of the last two years. “But Godley’s good, too. They are the best team we’ve played this year, and they’re going to win a lot of games.”

First quarter shooting woes led to a 17-9 deficit, and an even second quarter left Stephenville trailing 33-25 at the intermission.

Breanna Wooley takes a shot against Godley Saturday. || Photo by RUSSELL HUFFMAN

Then everything changed.

“We played really well in the second half. Shots started to fall and you could see our confidence growing as the game went on,” Thorpe said. “If we keep playing like that, we’re going to be tough to beat.”

Stephenville outscored Godley 26-13 in the second half, including 11-4 in the third quarter. The Bees actually grabbed a brief lead late in the period, before Godley scored in the final seconds to take a razor thin 37-36 edge into the fourth.

Bethanie Bouchey puts up a short jumper in the tournament final. || Photo by RUSSELL HUFFMAN

The Bees hit a trio of three pointers in the final stanza, outscoring Godley 15-9. Once in the lead, Stephenville turned to its free throw shooting to ice the victory, making its final six attempts from the stripe down the stretch.

Senior guard Cassidy Cline and junior guard Bayleigh Chaviers scored 13 each to lead Stephenville, and Breanna Wooley joined them in double figures with 12. Lyndi Graham added six, Skylar Chipman three, Bethanie Bouchey two and Kali Smith two.

Stephenville hosts 3A No. 12 Grandview at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Gandy Gym.