Harrells JV player Jessi-Kate Batts pulls up for 2 in the paint during a game Tuesday afternoon. (Gina Strickland/HCA)

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The JV Lady Crusaders handed O’Neal a whopping 41-14 loss Tuesday, improving their record along the way.

The teams traded baskets during the first quarter, with Harrells able to push ahead by the end of the period 12-7. In the second fram, the young Crusader girls added another 11 points, while holding O’Neal to only 5 more point to take a 23-12 lead into the break.

But if was the second half that showed the JV’s tenacious defense. In the third period, they held O’Neal to only 2 points and in the final frame preventing them from making even one bucket.

The young Crusaders added 10 more points in the third period and another 8 in the final quarter.

Mary Grace Norris led scoring for Harrells with 10 points. She has pulled down 1 rebound and had 1 steal.

Also scoring for the JV Crusaders was Abigail Blanchard, 8 points, 5 rebounds and 1 stea; Marrissa Parks, 6 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal; Haley Bowles, 5 points, 1 rebound, 3 steals; Branson Best, 4 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block; Jessi Kate Batts, 2 points; Rylie Evans, 2 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks; Ahsley Usher, 2 points; Mikaela Stroud, 2 points, 2 rebounds and 1 block and Megan Crisafulli, 2 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block.

The JV girls move to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in conference play. They return to the court Friday when they travel to Fayetteville Christian.

HCA boys

The JV boys lost to O’Neal Tuesday afternoon 48-34.