Slow Start, Big Finish as Lady Bulldogs Advance to Semifinal Game in Districts
- RoMoAthletics
- 19 minutes ago
- 4 min read
March 3rd, 2026
Slow but Even First Half
While it may not have been the fast start that Head Coach Charley Parker was hoping for in the opening round of districts, at least Lafayette was right there with them. In the first round of the Class 6 District tournament, the 4 seed Lady Bulldogs and the 5 seed Lafayette Lancers played a low scoring but even first half.
The Lady Bulldogs struggled to get the shots to fall in the opening quarter. Some of which came from losing 5’10” Fr forward Rylee Anderson in the first few minutes of the contest due to foul trouble that would keep her sidelined for the rest of the half causing a disruption in the offensive flow.
While the Lady Bulldogs were grinding to find their points in the paint and at the free throw line, Lafayette was able to knock down three 3’s in the opening quarter to keep the game tied after 1 quarter, 11 to 11.
In the 2nd quarter each time managed just 9 points resulting in it all tied up at the intermission with each team only scoring 20 points. Significantly under the pace to hit the points per game by the Lady Bulldogs at 60 but close the the usual pace of the Lancers who only score around 46 points per game.
When asked about the pace of play, Coach Parker was feeling frustrated. “First half we did a really good job of getting the looks we wanted. We just couldn’t convert and finish the opportunities on the offensive end. On the defensive end we were allowing too many high post touches leading to back side kicks for open threes.”
Leading Rolla in first half scoring was 5'10” Fr guard Bella Campbell with 8 points going 4 for 4 from the line and 5’8” Sr guard Mariah Watkins with 6 points and the lone 3 pointer in the first half for the Lady Bulldogs.
Finding Their Groove
What we have learned about this young Lady Bulldog team is that while they may have periods where they struggle, they won’t struggle for long. The resilient and gritty Rolla squad once again answered the challenge laid down by Coach Parker. “In the second half we cleaned it up, did a much better job converting and our defensive intensity really picked up.”
The Lady Bulldogs had another big second half as they outscored Lafayette 38 to 14. That offensive jump benefited from the 16 turnovers they were able to force on the evening.
The Lady Bulldogs outscored Lafayette 17 - 8 in the 3rd quarter by again attacking the basket and getting to the line. In the 4th quarter the Lady Bulldogs were able to secure the game with a 21 point 4th quarter with 6 players scoring while holding Lafayette to 6 points. The Lady Bulldogs knocked down three 3 pointers in the final period, one each coming from Anderson, 5’7” Fr guard Addy Deremo, & 5'10” So guard Madison Hutton on their way to the 58-34 win.
Wrap Up
Campbell paced the Lady Bulldogs while notching another double-double with 20 points and 10 boards. She was followed by Watkins with 14 points and Hutton with 11 points and 5 rebounds.
As discussed in the last Inside the Huddle with Coach Parker, rebounding and the overall size of the Lady Bulldogs was a key in the victory, out rebounded Lafayette 29-16.
“For most of our girls it was their first district experience. I thought we did a really good job of adjusting and changing our mindset when things were tough in the first half to really taking care of business in the second.”
The 58-34 victory moves the Lady Bulldogs to 17-10 on the season and advances them to the semifinal game of the Class 6 District 2 tournament taking on the #1 seed, Marquette, who Rolla lost to previously. That game will be on Wednesday March 4th at 5:00pm and will be played at Eureka High School.
Next Up
Class 6 District 2 Semifinal Matchup vs #1 Seed Marquette (20-4)
Wednesday March 4th at 5pm at Eureka HS in Chesterfield, Mo
Rolla lost to Marquette in the Holiday Hoops Championship 61-71
Rolla lost last season in the C6D2 Championship, 42-51
PPG: Rolla 59.5 vs Marquette 65.2
Points Allowed/Game: Rolla 50 vs Marquette 45.1
Common Opponents: Rolla Marquette
Lafayette (Wildwood) Win (58 - 34) Win (68 - 43)
Lutheran St. Charles Loss (50 - 61) Loss (37 - 63)
MICDS Loss (55 - 60) Loss (62 - 64)
Waynesville Win (70 - 43) Win (70 - 34)
Class 6 District 2 Bracket
STATS Rolla 58, Lafayette 34
The individual scoring (FG-FT-TP):
Rolla (17-10): Hutton 5-0-11, Watkins 5-3-14, Deremo 1-0-3, Campbell 7-6-20, Hollis 1-0-2, Wilson 1-0-2, Anderson 1-1-6
Lafayette (18-9): Golfo 2-2-7, Kivisikle 3-4-10, Burch 0-1-1, Cunningham 3-0-8, Kirtley 1-0-2, Hrdlicka 2-0-6
The score by periods:
TEAM Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 F
Rolla 11 9 17 21 58
Lafayette 11 9 8 6 34