LadyBulldog2015-2016Recap: Lady Bulldog Briana Todd returns next season hoping to lead the Dawgs to another 1-A Division playoff run. Photo by Lou Martin.

LadyBulldog2015-2016Recap: Lady Bulldog Briana Todd returns next season hoping to lead the Dawgs to another 1-A Division playoff run. Photo by Lou Martin.

The Virgin Valley High School Lady Dawg basketball team ended the 2015-2016 season with a 13-12 overall record. On paper it doesn’t look like much but when you look at their 11-3 record in 1-A Sunrise League play, the season has been a complete success.

Despite an up and down season Lady Dawg coach Chimane Creer said early that loading the front end of their schedule would help the team in league play late in the season. The plan must have worked as the Dawgs went 0-5 to begin their schedule before beginning league play edging TECH 39-35. The Dawgs went 4-2 in their next starts to go 4-7 through midseason.

The Dawgs won their next two league games putting them on top in Sunrise League with a 4-0 record. Reality set in for the Bulldogs as they got blown out at Chaparral and Desert Pines in their next two league starts. The Bulldogs then went on a tear going 7-1 to end the season.

The low point was a disappointing upset loss at Moapa Valley. The high point was the last second wins against Chaparral and Desert Pines and the league closer over Boulder City.

The run was a coming of age for Bulldog forward Briana Todd who became a dominant scorer and rebounder for the Dawgs. Todd led the Dawgs in scoring with an 11.9 average per game.

The Lady Bulldogs hosted Western High School in the first round of the playoffs losing 53-48 to the Warriors.

The Bulldogs have the nucleus to make another run in 2016-2017 as they lose only two starters from this year’s squad. The Bulldogs will have to find a point guard to replace departing Spencer Green and her 10.9 per game scoring average. Returning starters Todd, Bernice Fiso and Emma Barnum give the Dawgs a good scoring punch. Defensive stalwart Abbie Barnum, the first Bulldog off the bench should help in the back court. Savannah Price came on late in the season giving the Dawgs a little more presence underneath. Todd and Fiso led the rebounders with 7.0 and 7.8 boards per game. Throw in Taylor and Jessica Barnum and the Dawgs should again compete in 1-A Sunrise League play.