Bedford girls basketball team hands 'keys' to young guard Hensley

TEMPERANCE – Bedford's girls basketball had a lot of guards last season.

Coach Bill Ryan shuffled them around trying to find the best combinations.

Photo Gallery: Dexter at Bedford girls basketball

Sophomore Aubrey Hensley is taking charge this year.

“Last year she was one of many guards,” Ryan said. “This year we kind of handed her the keys. She has a lot more confidence.”

Hensley didn't make a basket Friday night against Bedford and scored just 1 point, but contributed in a lot of other ways in a 56-37 Mule victory over Dexter in their Southeastern Conference opener.

“She did a nice job of calming us down and did a real good job defensively against Dexter's guard,” Ryan said.

Hensley appreciates the confidence her coach is showing in her.

“Last year I was not a starter; well, I started a couple of games,” she said. “I took more of a role this year and was ready for it.”

Hensley said her main role is making sure her team operates cohesively.

“It's definitely been an experience,” she said. “The team has just come together and we're trying to be the best team we can.”

Winning Friday was a big key to that.

Photo Gallery: Dexter at Bedford boys basketball

Dexter graduated four starters, but came to Temperance as the defending Southeastern Conference Red champions.

“One of our goals is to win the league,” Ryan said. “If we're going to do that, tonight was critical. If you're going to win the league, you can't lose a game on a Friday night at home.”

Bedford earned the win with a fast start and balanced scoring.

The Mules jumped out to an 11-2 lead after one quarter and 30-9 at halftime.

Dexter couldn't focus its defense on one or two players. Victoria Gray led the Mules with 14 points, Peyton Behnke added 13, Payton Pudlowski 12, and Nyah Mullins 9.

Bedford opened the season with wins over wins over Manchester and Sylvania Southview, but this was the toughest test so far.

"That team is going to win a lot of games," Ryan said of Dexter. "They are well coached and have tradition."

What has Ryan learned so far from his 3-0 team?

"We can handle some adversity," he said.

BEDFORD: Fulop 1 0-0 2, A. Gray 1 (1) 0-0 3, Pudlowski 4 (1) 3-3 12, Hensley 0 1-2 1, Behnke 2 (2) 7-10 13, Jensen 1 0-0 2, V. Gray 3 8-12 14, Mullins 3 (1) 2-2 9. Totals 15 (5) 21-29 56.

DEXTER: Blumberg 0 0-1 0, Cabana 4 (3) 0-1 11, Chase 2 (1) 2-2 7, Perry 6 (1) 2-2 15, Gullekson 0 2-2 2, Fuchs 1 0-0 2. Totals 13 (5) 6-8 37.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Bedford girls basketball team hands 'keys' to young guard Hensley