Although they were sporting different uniforms, the end result was still the same for the Hereford High girls’ basketball team in their impressive 2010-2011 campaign. The Bulls knocked off Dulaney, 36-24, in a key Baltimore County 3A/4A league match in Timonium Saturday evening.
Nearly a season removed from a 12-9 campaign, Hereford (16-1 overall, 5-0 3A/4A) gained the inside track to the Baltimore County title game with its second victory over Dulaney (8-6, 4-1 3A/4A). The Parkton school have responded to first-year coach Ellen Fitzkee, who turned Randallstown into a County 1A/2A force after a long stint as coach of the Towson University’s women’s program.
“Last time we played them it was a one-point game, so we knew it was going to be intense and competitive,” said Hereford first-year head coach Ellen Fitzkee. “They are a good ball club. They’re scrappers but so are we.”
The contest was also a fundraiser game to support the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the fight against breast cancer. Wearing “Think-pink” commemorative t-shirts and shooting at a pink net with a pink basketball, Hereford’s offense was led by junior Julia McLaughlin’s eight points. Senior Rebecca Silver added seven points for the Bulls.
“We haven’t beaten Dulaney in years and now we’ve beaten them twice this season,” said McLaughlin. “I think our confidence is really high right now but we have to look ahead and beat Catonsville.”
Hereford, who rallied in the final 2 minutes, 30 seconds to top the Lions 31-30 on January 7, never trailed Saturday. The Bulls have four games remaining including the season finale showdown against defending Baltimore County champ Catonsville.
“At this point we now have a little bit of a sign on our backs, and this is the first year we’ve been able to do this well,” said Kitzkee. “You got to be able to take everyone’s best shot now so we’re hoping we’ll be able to sustain it.”
Dulaney was unable to sustain its momentum from its victory over Kenwood the night before. The Lions look to reverse its fortune February 9 against Patapsco.
“Kenwood gave us a really great game last night and we just didn’t have any gas in the tank,” said Dulaney coach Rich Welsh. “Hereford came out fired-up, and were hungrier than us, but we’ll be able to rebound from this.”
