English wraps up season with perfect NEC record

The English High girls basketball team went into Thursday night’s game against Classical with most of the things on its “to-do” list already checked off.The Bulldogs had already qualified for the state tournament and they had already won the Northeastern Conference North title. The only business left to tend to before heading into the postseason was to go undefeated in the NEC. The Bulldogs accomplished the feat with a 46-22 win over the Rams at Classical.”To make it with a 16-0 record is really special,” English coach Fred Hogan said. “We accomplished one of our goals this year (in winning the NEC). Now we have to win a state championship.”Although the game wasn’t an artistic success (the score was a woeful 15-7, English, at the half), the Bulldogs did what they had to do. Jeanette Anderson shouldered the load in the early going, scoring 12 of English’s 15 first-half points. Miranda Hogan stepped it up in the second half by burying three threes (she had four total and finished with 14 points) in the third quarter to finally put the Rams safely in the rear-view mirror.”Classical played their hearts out,” Hogan said. “I give them lots of credit.”Hogan said he cautioned his team about looking past Classical.”A team like Classical will knock you off,” he said.Although the Rams (7-13) struggled offensively the entire game, the defense had the Bulldogs frustrated well into the third quarter.”We made them work,” Classical coach Tom Sawyer said. “To only give up 15 points in the first half to a really good team was something.”Classical scored the first two points of the game, but that was the only lead the Rams would have. Anderson hit the next three for the Bulldogs and the Rams found themselves trying to play catch-up the rest of the way. English’s lead hovered around 10-12 points most of the first half.Hannah Byrne was top scorer for Classical with six points. Sophomore point guard Brianna Capone had five and Frances Mathieu and Sochitta Men had four each. Seniors Mathieu, Men and Pierina Mora were playing their final game for the Rams.English’s Anderson, who was named the Northeastern Conference North Most Valuable Player for the second year in a row, led all scorers with 17 points. Jenicia Duggins and LaShaunda Hogan were also named to the NEC North All-Star team.English will wrap up the regular season this weekend in the Spartan Classic tournament at St. Mary’s. The Bulldogs will face Andover, one of the toughest teams in the state, in the first game.