Junior standout Carlie Thurmond says All A is always a “big deal” for Bethlehem

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Bethlehem teammates Carlie Thurmond, right, and Emma Filiatreau both recently went over 1,000 career points. (David Asher Photo)

For Bethlehem the All “A” Classic state tourney is always a “big deal” according to junior point guard Carlie Thurmond.

“The All A matters a lot to us and the community,” said Thurmond. “Our goal is always to win the All A state and that never changes.”

Bethlehem again won the 5th Region and will open state play Wednesday night about 9:30 p.m. in Richmond against Crittenden County in the final first round game.

“I don’t think we have ever played a game that starts that late, so we just have to adjust,” Thurmond said.

Bethlehem (14-6) beat North Hardin 67-45 Friday when Thurmond had a typical game — 17  points, seven assists, six rebounds and five steals. She averages 15.5 points and 2.8 rebounds per game and shoots 48 percent from the field, 37 percent from 3 and 84 percent at the foul line.

She recently went over 1,000 career points, a feat she admits she’s proud of.

“We love to share the ball, so that’s a really good milestone to get,” she said.

Former teammates Amelia Hodges and Ella Thompson reached that mark, too, as did current teammate Emma Filiatreau a few games ago.

“I have known Emma since elementary school. We have played basketball together forever,” Thurmond said. “She plays a very important role for us (16.4 points, 10.8 rebounds per game) and contributes points and rebounds. Her 3-point percentage is really good this year as she is much more comfortable shooting outside now.”

Thurmond is relying less on 3-point goals to score this season and trying to get to the basket  more to score and/or draw fouls.

“As I have got older and stronger, it’s easier to go inside and get fouled and finish,” she said. “I like shooting free throws but my favorite thing to do is pass. One of my best strengths is seeing the floor and finding the open man. I like getting the ball to everybody, so that’s another good thing about being able to drive and draw the defense.”

Carlie Thurmond enjoys driving inside to draw contact and fouls. (Twitter Photo)

On defense, she admits “pesky” is a fair word to use to describe her.

“I like to be fast on defense,” she said. “I can move around and create some problems.”

She also moves fast on the soccer field. The 17-year-old Thurmond has 117 goals and 35 assists in three seasons and twice has earned all-state honors. She had an incredible 60 goals her sophomore season.

“I really like both sports and it’s hard for me to answer which sport is my best one,” she said. “I think I am learning more toward soccer as I get older but then I get to basketball and that makes me change my mind. It was harder to score in soccer this season because teams keyed on me and kept people on me all the time. I like to pass in soccer, too, but it’s harder to find the open man on the field than on the court.”

What her teams do is win. She’s been on the basketball team for five years and Bethlehem is 123-27 with three regional championships and one loss in the regional final. She would love to help Bethlehem get back to Rupp Arena for a third straight time in March.

“After All A, we get back to focusing on our region,” she said. “We are a little school and most of us play multiple sports. The elementary kids see how hard we work and that motivates them to want to step up and be part of a good team, too.”

Thurmond has a 3.8 cumulative grade-point average and prioritizes academics. She’s started thinking about college and which sport she will play but knows she has to start concentrating on that even more soon.

“But right now I still am pretty focused on basketball and what we can still do this season,” she said.

* * *

Bethlehem would play the Jackson County-Bishop Brossart winner Friday at 1 p.m. if it beats Crittenden County. Semifinals are Saturday at 8:30 and 10 a.m. with the title game set for Sunday at noon.

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