Published: November 20, 2008 03:39 pm         

Hardman, Jones pace Rockets

By Robert Carter

The North Jefferson News



Coach Ryan Griffin is starting to see his Gardendale girls’ team come together, after the Rockets ean out to a 15-2 run to start the game and never looked back in their 40-23 thrashing of Hueytown Tuesday night.

Haley Hardman led the way for the Rockets with nine points, all scored in the first period. Kasi Jones added eight points, all in the first half.

“We were probably a solid as we can be right now,” Griffin said afterward. “Haley got offensive rebounds and Kasi got steals. They did the things they needed to do individually to get points. We did a better job executing plays tonight.”

Gardendale (1-1) was in control from the outset. The Gophers (0-1) did manage to keep the deficit within reason most of the way, getting their bearing after the Rockets’ opening run to cut the lead to seven after one period. But in the second half, Gardendale held Hueytown to only four points, shutting them out in the final period.

Griffin’s biggest problem was getting everyone some playing time. “I’ve got a deep bench – it’s tricky when you’ve got four post (players),” he said.

Christina Watson led the Gophers with 10 points.