Lady Bulldogs open Donnelly era with victory at Van-Far

VANDALIA - The South Callaway Lady Bulldogs needed just one game to equal their entire win total from the 2010-11 season.

Junior forward Jenna Boulger responded with 21 points and South Callaway made head coach Jim Donnelly's debut a successful one Tuesday night in the Lady Bulldogs' 44-37 season-opening victory over Van-Far.

"It was a pretty exciting time for these girls, to see their faces light up in the locker room," said Donnelly, who took over a South Callaway program that was a dismal 1-24 last season. "They're off to a good start and they played very well together."

Junior center Michaela Nolting also provided eight points for the Lady Bulldogs, who were in front 23-19 at halftime and 31-26 to start the fourth quarter. Sophomore guard Taylor Howard contributed seven points.

"We moved pretty well without the basketball," Donnelly said. "At times, we looked really, really impressive, and at other times we were pretty stagnant."

Kasey Gatson directed Van-Far with a game-high 22 points.

"Defensively, we were very good," Donnelly said. "We did not give up a lot of second shots and we outrebounded Van-Far, which has some pretty big players."

South Callaway remains on the road with a trip to Bourbon at 6 p.m. Friday.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.