BEULAH — The Bobcats’ girls basketball team had the full roster on the floor healthy for the first time all season on Thursday night, and the result was a 44-34 win over Dadeville. It was Beulah’s first win of the year.

“I think we won the game because of our defensive pressure,” Beulah girls head basketball coach Sabrina Milligan said. “We went to a half-court trap, sped them up. We got some turnovers, and got some easy baskets.”

The Bobcats were able to carry more players on the roster as well with the junior high team’s season ending recently. The ability to sub late was huge in Beulah earning its first win after playing with as far as seven players earlier in the season.

“Especially when teams are pressuring you all the time,” Milligan said. “In the fourth quarter, you’re about done for by that time.”

Senior Kensley Taylor led the Bobcats with 26 points, including some key plays late to secure the area win for Beulah. It was Taylor’s first game since suffering a nose injury at a holiday tournament in Georgia over the break, she sported a protective mask while she was in the game on Thursday night.

“Her play, not even just scoring, but managing the game, has been impressive,” Milligan said. “Pulling the ball back, setting up, hitting the open girl, that’s huge. We have to have somebody out there to lead us. She stepped up tonight, and led us. She hit open shots in the first half to give us a lead, we lost the lead for a little bit, we put some pressure on them and got the lead back, and she led us in the end. You can see all the time that she’s telling kids where to be at on the court. She’s the captain for a reason. Be the captain out there to lead us, and she did that out there tonight.”

Danielle Williams also had a standout game on the boards to go along with her 5 points on the night.

The Bobcats are now 1-13 overall with a 1-2 record in area play. 

Next, Beulah will host Randolph County on Jan. 15.