By Tray Mason
Correspondent

Anyone who has seen the Kings Fork girls’ basketball team play this season knows its top asset is size.

On Monday evening, what the Lady Bulldogs’ offense and defense lacked, their interior length made up for.

KF’s two 6’4” post players were too much for the Churchland Truckers to handle as the Lady Bulldogs advanced to the quarterfinals of the Eastern Region Tournament, winning 54-34 at home.

Khadedra Croker and Delisia Sharpe each tallied their usual double-doubles. Croker had 15 points, 13 rebounds and 6 blocks, and Sharpe had 15 points and 11 rebounds.

In a game where the Lady Bulldogs struggled offensively and didn’t play up to their standards defensively, they simply outclassed their opponents.

“Our defense was atrocious tonight,” KF head coach Maurice Fofana said. “We can’t expect to advance deep into the regional tournament playing defense like that.”

Despite their overall

struggles throughout the game, the Lady Bulldogs got off to an excellent start. Halfway through the first quarter they were already leading 15-2.

Their interior size bothered Churchland, as was clear by the foul differential in the first quarter as the Truckers fouled seven times versus just two fouls against KF.

The Lady Bulldogs were able to get to the line via the offensive glass easily, and the Truckers had no choice but to foul.

Churchland would close the first quarter on a 8-3 run, though, trailing 18-10 going into the second.

Leading 30-18 at the half, the Lady Bulldogs played a lot better on the defensive end in the second half, allowing just five points in the third quarter.

At the end of the third, KF was up 43-23, and its lead would never fall below 20 in the fourth.

Despite the margin of victory, Fofana was disappointed in his team’s performance, saying that all they would do in their next practice is work on defense.

They will need it, as they will face likely their toughest task of the season against Princess Anne in the quarterfinals.

Princess Anne is the defending state champion and three-time defending Eastern Region champion. The Lady Cavaliers beat Kecoughtan 64-24 in their first-round matchup and are currently riding a 14-game winning streak.

The game is at 4 p.m. today at the Norfolk Scope.