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Escalon's JV Girls Top Hughson, Hilmar
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Playing tough in their busiest week of the season, the JV Lady Cougars won on the road and split at home.

They started out on the road, playing at Hilmar.

"We got a pretty convincing win, 46-29, and we had the lead from the get go," said coach Andrew Beam. "Melissa Mullins led us with 10 points."

The game was also important in that it gave everyone on the team a chance to get in some valuable playing time, with notable contributions off the bench from Jasmin Elisalde and Jordan Roberts.

"They both contributed and had fun out there," Beam said.

Wednesday, the girls were at home to host Hughson and ended up holding on for the win in a game that looked like it was over early.

"We were up 15-2 after one and we were up by 19 points (34-15) after three," Beam explained. "Then they scored 20 points in the fourth quarter and we scored three.

"We got a 37-35 win but I was disappointed we couldn't finish it off stronger."

Justine Lawrence had 13 points to lead the effort, Lindsay Miranda gave the team a good effort off the bench with five and Mullins had seven points in the win.

Friday, the JV girls hosted Modesto Christian and were outscored 64-22.

"They're probably the best JV team I've ever seen," admitted Beam. "We got a little shell-shocked, we were down 18-2 before we knew what hit us."

Beam noted MC has a bit of an advantage, with many of their players focusing solely on basketball and playing it year-round, while Escalon's players are typically multi-sport athletes. Still, he said, a couple of his players did put in solid performances and they battled despite being outmanned.

Lawrence had 10 points, including two three-pointers, Sarah Leal had five points.

"It was a good week," Beam said. "To go 2-1, I'll take that any day."

The JV girls open second round action this week, on the road at Riverbank on Thursday.