The Quitman Lady Bulldogs enjoyed a standout week at Ballard Gym, where they rolled to a perfect 5-0 record. This was highlighted by a championship run at the Delbert Ballard Holiday Classic Dec. 29-30.

Quitman opened the tournament play in dominant fashion, defeating Crossroads 64-7. The Lady Bulldogs jumped to a commanding 20+ point lead in the first quarter and never looked back. Head coach Blake Hamrick was able to get everyone on the roster meaningful playing time, including the team’s youngest players.

Autumn Cason and Annabelle Popke led the Lady Bulldogs with 13 points each. Popke, who was a force on the boards, led the team in rebounding with seven offensive rebounds and two defensive rebounds. Addison Sapp caused havoc defensively with nine steals. Cason also recorded six steals, while Sapp sisters Addison and Kaylin each had three assists.

Quitman then met Scurry-Rosser and rolled right by them, winning 54-29. Cason racked up another 15 points to lead the team. Addison Sapp had seven defensive rebounds and four steals. Laine Kelly also had four steals.   

On Tuesday, Quitman advanced to the championship bracket and faced Chapel Hill first, earning a convincing 39-24 victory. Kaylin Sapp paced the offense with 13 points, while Erin VanderSchaaf led the Lady Bulldogs with six defensive rebounds. 

The championship game later that day proved to be a thriller, as Quitman edged a tough Bells High School squad 49-45 in a back-and-forth contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.

Cason once again led the scoring effort with 15 points. Addison Sapp contributed across the stat sheet, leading the team in defensive rebounds while adding four assists and seven steals to help secure the tournament title.

Three Lady Bulldogs earned All-Tournament Team honors: Addison Sapp, Kaylin Sapp, and Autumn Cason. Addison Sapp finished the tournament with 36 points, 16 rebounds, 17 steals and 12 assists. Cason posted an impressive tournament total of 51 points to go along with 12 rebounds, 15 steals and eight assists. Kaylin Sapp contributed 31 points, seven rebounds, two steals and 12 assists over the course of the tournament.

Quitman’s winning ways continued Friday night with a 41-34 district road victory over Malakoff. Addison Sapp led the Lady Bulldogs with 23 points and topped the team in rebounding with three offensive and four defensive boards. Kaylin Sapp added three assists, while Kelly, Addison Sapp and Cason each recorded two steals.

Head coach Blake Hamrick praised his team’s effort following the perfect week.

“Obviously going 5-0 for the week is great, and winning our own tournament in front of a huge crowd is really fun,” Hamrick said. “I thought we played well every game in our tournament and were a little sluggish against Malakoff, particularly on defense, but I’m proud of the girls for battling and finding a way to come out with the win. We still have a lot of growth to do, but I think it’s slowly coming together game by game.”

Quitman continued district play Tuesday at Winona, hosts Eustace Friday, and travels to Mineola on Tuesday the 13th.