Orrville – The Keith Lady Bears bench rescued the struggling starters and crushed the Billingsley Lady Bears 76-15, Friday night at home.

“We didn’t give our all at the start of the game,” commented Keith team captain Latoria Gray, “it’s good that we have a bench that we can depend on.”

Keith played a tough and aggressive defense the entire game, which caused many turnovers that led to some easy baskets.

With 2:34 left in the first quarter and his team looking for their first points of the game, down 4 – 0.

Keith coach Raymond Rucker called a timeout and replaced his starting five with five players from the bench.

That was the key to the game as the bench finished the first quarter outscoring Billingsley 7-2. Rucker’s bench’ continued to play aggressively defensively as well as offensively and remained in the game all but one minute of the second quarter.

They ripped the nets for 22 points in the quarter to just 7 for Billingsley.

Sophomore Sabrina Williams who dropped in 11 points in the quarter led the bench.

“Coach told us to play our hearts out and play defense,” Williams said after the game. The half ended with Keith up 29 -11 and the game all but over.

The Keith starters opened the third quarter with a sluggish start and Rucker didn’t hesitate bringing the bench’ back into the game.

The starters began to show some life towards the end of the quarter as the Lady Bears stretched their lead 41-15. Playing the entire 4th quarter, Keith’s starting five pumped in 35 points while holding Billingsley scoreless. Final score 76 &110; 15.

"We finally realized we had a bench,&uot; said Coach Rucker, "Our bench have given up leads in the past, but they wanted to play tonight and they did. Tonight showed that our bench could play with anybody.&uot; Shauntey Gooden led the Lady Bears with a game high 18 points and 9 rebounds. Van Lisa Jones contributed 14 points and Williams finished with 13. Keith record is now 9 &110; 5 overall for the season and 2 &110; 2 in area play.