Hardin Valley hands Bearden girls basketball team first loss of season

Hardin Valley Academy’s Paige Gentry only scored two points Friday night, but they were two of the game’s biggest.

The junior guard made a layup at the buzzer as Hardin Valley (17-5, 9-2 in District 4-AAA) posted a 64-62 victory over at previously unbeaten Bearden (19-1, 10-1).

Gentry took a pass with less than 6 seconds left after a missed Bearden free throw, drove the length of the court, and made a left-handed layup.

“She remained so calm in that situation,” Hardin Valley coach Jennifer Galloway said Saturday. “We got the ball in her hands, and she knew 5 seconds was a long time. She was able to beat her girl, and there was nobody there to help (defend). She made the right decision.”

Junior guard Lizzie Davis led Hardin Valley in scoring with 17 points, while Bekah Hampton had 16, Abbey Cornelius 15 and Symphony Buxton 10.

Cornelius had 15 rebounds and Buxton eight rebounds.

“You’ve got to have balanced scoring and contributions on both ends of the floor from everybody, which we did last night,” Galloway said. “They all did an incredible job. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

Bearden’s Trinity Lee had 16 points and Jalia Arnwine had 14.

Davis spent the game guarding Lee, a Division I prospect.

“(Davis) had a tough defensive assignment,” Galloway said. “She had an unbelievable night on both ends of the floor.”

After Monday’s non-district game against Karns, the Lady Hawks play host to William Blount (17-6, 8-3) with second place in the district at stake.