The Pike County Lady Bulldogs wrapped up play in the Red Level basketball tournament Thursday after a tough matchup with 4A Andalusia. Poor shooting and fatigue led the way to the Bulldogs’ 48-18 loss.

“As a young team, it’s all about learning,” said head coach Toddy Reynolds. “We handled their pressure really well. We are just in a shooting slump right now. We could not throw it in the ocean today.”

Eighth-grader Jayla Lampley led the Bulldogs with six points, while senior Shaquavia Mckinney made 11 rebounds.

“We had a lot of really good opportunities,” Reynolds said. “I was glad to see our eighth-graders taking these shots. They just weren’t falling. It’s hard to beat a good team when you’re not making your shots.”

Shooting has been a problem as of late for the Bulldogs. Even in a previous game against Georgiana, they were only able to muster up 28 points to win. That lack of production causes concern for Reynolds as the Bulldogs face Daleville on Saturday then begin area play on Jan. 5.

“I have been preparing them for the fact that January was going to be a really tough month,” Reynolds said. “There are no surprises. It’s going to be really tough.”

And, Reynolds said, the players are going to have to rely on learned skills.

“There is so much teaching at this stage,” he said of this upcoming stretch of games. “There is not much coaching. You have to teach them everything. I am trying to get them to the point to where they are playing without fear.”

One thing the Bulldogs can hold on to, though, is the fact that they have already won more games than they did last year when they finished the season with just two wins. The Bulldogs currently sit with a 3-7 record as they near area play.

The Lady Bulldogs tip off against the Warriors on Saturdy afternoon at 5:30 to wrap up the non area portion of their schedule.