By JONATHAN GREENE
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
MONTCALM — Despite having plenty of heart and leaving everything they had on the floor, the Montcalm Lady Generals weren’t able to overcome the size and athleticism of Mount View.
The Lady Generals kept it close for the first five minutes before the Lady Knights took over for a 57-38 victory on Tuesday night.
“The girls worked hard,” Mount View head coach Yvonne Brown said. “They gave an overall team effort. They girls have been doing well in playing team ball.
“That’s what it takes. I’m proud of them. I appreciate that they have been successful this year. I’m looking forward to the rest of the season and hopefully, they will be as successful at the end.”
Montcalm’s Miranda Kendrick scored the game’s first bucket then Hannah Johnson’s bank shot gave the Generals an early 4-2 lead. Leslie Kelley added a free throw to make it 5-4 before the Mount View tied the game on a Jordan Younger free throw. They took the lead for good moments later when Gezelle Brown hit the second of her two free throw attempts.
“I thought we played well at times,” Montcalm head coach Jimmy McPherson said. “We did some good things offensively. We were able to hang on to the ball and not force as many shots. We were able to rest some on offense. With just six people, it’s a necessity.
“We got back in transition and didn’t give up to many lay-ups. They’ve got a couple really good players and hit some shots from outside in the first half. We made some adjustments at halftime on defense and second half, we did some good things. We’re happy with the effort tonight.”
Mount View led 13-6 after the first before breaking the game open in the second as Ashley Belfiore scored 11 of her 24 points in a four minute stretch to start the second quarter.
“She always someone we can depend on,” Brown said. “If we need a three, there she is. Also if we need to go to the [foul line], she’s the one to go for us. I’m proud of her.
“She’s not selfish with the ball. If she doesn’t have the shot, she will get it to the person who is open. She’s an all-around player.”
Kelley added two more free throws just before half and Kendrick scored on a drive to the basket to trim the Knights’ lead to 33-17 at the midway point.
Montcalm would limit Mount View to just 12 points in both the third and fourth quarters, but struggled to get their offense going.
Kendrick though found her stroke from the foul line as she hit 5 of 8 attempts in the quarter to help her finish with 20 points.
“They play hard,” McPherson said. “I’ve never had a team have more heart than this one. We’re real pleased with that.”
Younger paced Belfiore’s effort with 12 points.
Kelley added 13 points for the Generals who had only four players score.
Montcalm (1-7) visits Meadow Bridge Friday while the Lady Knights (6-2) will look to keep their good start going when they travel to Independence Thursday before hosting James Monroe Friday.
“With the young ladies last year, my husband coach Gary Brown — he taught them the fundamentals,” Brown said. “They worked during the off-season and they worked on their own this summer. With his help and teaching the fundamentals and they things they need to know, I’m just here to support that.
“I also want to give accolades to him. It’s because of his teaching. I’m just here to carry them through.”
— Contact Jonathan Greene
at jgreene@bdtonline.com

at Montcalm High School
MOUNT VIEW (6-2)
Belfiore 24, Johnson 1, Saunders 2, Perkins 5, Parks 6, Younger 12, Brown 1.
MONTCALM (1-7)
Kendrick 20, Kelley 13, Johnson 2, Crane 3.
Mount View.......................13 20 12 12 — 57
Montcalm...........................6 11 9 12 — 38
3 pt field goals: MV 2 (Belfiore 2); MC none.