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By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

HELENA – After a bit of a nervy start, the Helena Huskies settled in and took care of business on their home floor to sweep the season series with the Bibb County Choctaws.

Helena defeated Bibb County 51-20 on Monday, Dec. 16 at Helena High School to improve to 7-5 on the season.

The Huskies offense got going early with 3-pointers from Anna Owens and Isabel Heintz, but those proved to be the only field goals that Helena could muster in the opening eight minutes.

The Choctaws couldn’t get many shots to fall on the offensive end either but ended the first quarter on top with a slim 9-7 lead.

That was when Helena flipped a switch on both ends of the floor and took over.

Jaterrica Moody scored eight points in the second quarter after going scoreless in the first, pairing with three points from Destiny Brashears to score 11 more points before halftime.

However, it was the defensive effort which made the biggest difference. The Huskies allowed just one point off a free throw and held Bibb County scoreless from the field in the second quarter, helping them take an 18-10 lead into the halftime break.

Helena never looked back from there as Moody got some scoring help in the third to help her team turn on the jets.

Heintz led the way for the offense in the third, scoring eight of her team’s 18 points during that stretch. Mallory Rhodes, Gracelyn Ambrose and Moody all helped the Huskies outscore the Choctaws by 10 during the third and build out their lead.

Helena led 36-18 going into the fourth quarter and kept its foot on the gas the rest of the way to see out the victory.

Six different Huskies found the bottom of the net from the field in the fourth as the offense spread the ball around with only Ambrose scoring multiple baskets in the final quarter. Helena’s defense continued to shine as the hosts outscored Bibb County 15-2 in the fourth.

That put the finishing touches on the 31-point victory for the Huskies.

Heintz led the team with 14 points and Moody joined her in double figures with 11 points. Ambrose scored six points and Destiny Brashears and Rhodes each finished with five points.

Helena will have a quick turnaround before its next game on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 5:30 p.m. as the Huskies will travel to Warrior Arena to face the Thompson Warriors.