WWW arkcity.net

By DAVID WOLMAN
Traveler Sports Editor

Coming into Friday night's AV-CTL Division II opener, Arkansas City knew that Jordi James was the focal point for McPherson.

Still, James had her way with the Bulldogs last night. She scored 13 of her game-high 18 points in the first quarter in leading McPherson to an easy 53-21 win over Ark City at the Roundhouse.

With McPherson leading 5-0 midway through the first quarter, James got going as she connected on three straight three-pointers to allow the Bullpups to pull away early.

"We knew that she was their (best) player," Ark City coach Bill Stinson said, "but we just let her go."

James has reached double figures in points in all seven games.

McPherson (5-2) used a trap defense to prevent Ark City (1-4) from setting up its halfcourt offense, as the Bullpups led 16-3 after the first quarter and 33-7 at halftime.

"We weren't responding well out of (the trap)," Stinson said.

Stinson could never establish any offense through their post players, as McPherson held Natalie Benton scoreless.

"She wasn't posting up strong and being physical," Stinson said of Benton. "We couldn't get her the ball."

Natalie Stinson led Ark City with 12 points.

The loss extended the Bulldogs' losing streak to four games. They will look to rebound Tuesday at Newton, who defeated Ark City last season in the Class 5A playoffs.

"Since 1989, we've never had any kind of success when we've traveled to McPherson and feeling good when we're done," Stinson said.