By Adolphus Ames –
The Northampton Yellow Jackets girls varsity basketball team hosted the Arcadia Firebirds Thursday, Feb. 3. The Firebirds defeated the Yellow Jackets 45-35.
The Firebirds opened the game with a fast start, establishing a 16-7 lead by the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Firebirds suffered several turnovers and the Yellow Jackets capitilized on this momentum shift to keep themselves in the game. At halftime, the Yellow Jackets trailed 30-18. During the second half, the Firebirds continued to score effortlessly, but in the fourth quarter, the Yellow Jackets’ defense stepped up and slowed down the Firebirds’ offense. This allowed the Yellow Jackets to outscore the Firebirds 11-2 for the remainder of the game.
Later the same evening, the Yellow Jackets and Firebirds boys varsity basketball teams faced each other. The Yellow Jackets won the matchup 80-57.
Jaylen Anderson opened the game with a 3-pointer, immediately swinging momentum in the Yellow Jackets’ favor. The Firebirds fell behind early, but continued to fight hard. At the end of the first quarter, the Firebrids trailed the Yellow Jackets 22-14. In the second quarter, the Firebirds’ offense briefly stalled, allowing the Yellow Jackets to establish a 10-point lead at halftime. In the second half, the Yellow Jackets outscored the Firebirds 41-28 to close out the game.
Jaylen Anderson led the Yellow Jackets’ offense with 23 points, one rebound, three assists, and three steals. Ronyell Coston earned 21 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Ellajah Miller and Ronrico Bugg each had 10 points.
