Lady Lions struggle as district play begins

By LPR Staff
Editor/POST-REGISTER

The Lady Lions varsity basketball team is struggling to secure their footing and earn a place at the top of District 27-4A. They opened District play last week with two tough losses, but keep high hopes of regrouping over the holidays and starting 2011 with a winning streak.

On Dec. 17, the Lady Lions traveled to Kyle to face the Le

hman Lady Lobos and came home at the short end of a 50-66 final score.

Although the Lady Lions experienced some early foul trouble, they found a way to adjust to the way the game was being called, Coach Brittany Wilson said. The Lady Lions played a strong fourth quarter, getting to the free-throw line often and gaining points while the clock was stopped.

Tory Hill led the Lady Lions in scoring with 20 points, and shot 80 percent from the free-throw line. Cassie Schroeder picked up 13 points, and was 5:7 from the line. Sierra Aguilar chipped in seven points, including a pair of three-pointers.

Sam Cowan and Kassie Gaddis were recognized by coaches for their great hustle during the game.

“These girls have one goal in mind, and that is coming out on top in our district,” Wilson said. “We will continue to strive for that goal.”

On Tuesday, Dec. 13, the Lady Lions opened their district season by hosting the Smithson Valley Rangers at the Lion’s Den. Despite the home-court advantage, the Lady Lions fell short at the end of the night, falling 45-67.

“Isis Johnson was a huge life for us in the paint, getting to the free-throw line and making key rebounds,” Wilson said.

She also credited Hill with being a great leader on the court, contributing 16 points, including seven in the fourth quarter.

Both Johnson and Hill made opportunities for the Lady Lions with defensive rebounds that the team was able to turn into fast break opportunities.

Hill led scoring with her 16 points, trailed by Johnson and Schroeder, who picked up 11 each.

Aguilar, Toiya Ghant and Giselle Maciel each put up big shots for the Lady Lions that helped the team build momentum in the second half.

“We [the coaching staff] are very proud of our Lady Lions,” Wilson said. “They never once dropped their heads and always stuck together as a team. They continue to work hard and get better every day. We could not have asked for a better group of girls.”

In their final game of the pre-district season, the Lady Lions squared off with Austin Travis on Friday, Dec. 10. Although they played well as a team, creating scoring opportunities and taking advantage of what the defense gave them, the team fell 53-63 to the Lady Rebels.

“The heart of our whole team showed and they played extremely hard [during this game],” Wilson said.

Hill led her team on the scoreboard, finishing with 27 points, 12 of which came in the third quarter and 10 in the fourth. Johnson contributed 11 points before fouling out in the third. Aguilar hit three separate three-point shots to add nine points to the team total.

The Lady Lions faced Alamo Heights on the road on Dec. 21, and are scheduled in the Lady Flyer Holiday Classic in Victoria on Dec. 28 and 29. They will return to action at the Lion’s Den on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2010, when they take on the Clemens Buffaloes. Tipoff is set at 7 p.m.

(Additional information provided by Brittany Wilson)