Hays Lady Rebels triumph over Lady Lions

By Alonzo Garza
POST-REGSITER

The Hays Lady Rebels charged into the Lion’s Den on Tuesday, Jan. 20 full of confidence taking control of the court from the first shot and never letting go.

All three Lady Lion teams fell to the Lady Rebels. The Varsity Lady Lions were defeated 72-39. The Junior Varsity Lady Lions lost 69-24 and the Lady Rebels crushed the

Freshmen Lady Lions 66-10.

Varsity
The Lady Lions wasted no time scoring against Hays. They began the first period of play with enthusiasm and determination, scoring the first two points in the game and setting the pace for the Lady Rebels.

“We came out fired up and put on a good show in the first quarter against the undefeated in district, Hays Lady Rebels,” Coach Melissa Fisher said. “Kariah Selby knocked down the first basket of the game. Scoring in the first bounced back and forth as the Lady Lions fought hard.”

The Lady Rebels came back, ending the period’s scoring at 15-10.

The Lady Rebels picked up the pace in the second quarter, scoring 24 points and allowing only five from the Lady Lions. The first half ended at 39-15 with the Lady Lions trailing.

“The second quarter proceeded with the Lady Lion struggling with Hays’ full-court press,” Fisher said. “The overall level of play by the Lady Lions was good, unfortunately, against Hays… good isn’t enough. We were killed on the boards and it proved to be the biggest factor in the game. A physical Lady Rebel team out rebounded us 31-16.”

Scoring in the third quarter was close with the Lady Lions scoring 12 points and the Lady Rebels scoring 16. Both teams came out fighting after the break ending the scoring at 55-27.

The fourth quarter scoring was similar to the third with Hays adding 17 points to the final tally while Lockhart added 12. The game ended at 72-39.

“The Lady Lions did have a better night shooting the ball,” Fisher said. “We shot 33 percent from the field and a very good 44 percent from the three-point line. I am very pleased see that since we have been working on shot selection and shooting quality contested shots in practice.”

Tory Hill led Lady Lion scoring with 14 points, three rebounds and one charge. Chelsy Martinez followed with seven points and three rebounds. Alisha Officer led on rebounds with five and scored five points in the game.

Junior Varsity
“The JV Lady Lions got off to perhaps their slowest start of the season,” Coach LeAnn Sibley said. “They allowed Hays to score 21 first quarter points. The team’s only bucket of the quarter came Shelby Kennedy.”

The Lady Lion offense struggled in the second quarter. Kennedy and Gwen Sanders were the only Lady Lions to score in the second. Sanders hit an outside jumper.

The Lady Lions turned up the heat offensively in the fourth quarter, but by then, it was too late for them to catch up.

Kennedy, Shavonda Hill and Briana Ortiz each hit long-range three-pointers in the final period. Sanders scored with a layup and Samantha Duncan made shots from the paint.

“Although the team finished the game strong, the first half deficit proved too much for them to overcome,” Sibley said.

Freshmen
“The Freshmen Lady Lions had a fire in their eyes playing the Lady Rebels,” Coach Katina Flournoy-Walker said. “The score did not reflect how much improvement and want the Lady Lions had.”

The Lady Lions had a difficult time keeping up with the Lady Rebels. They played without one of their top post players, Samantha Cowan. Cowan played with the JV team.

“The girls played hard and with heart,” Flournoy-Walker said. “They were doing things they usually do not do in games.
They were taking more shots, taking more risks on defense, moving without the ball, rotating on defense, etc. It was really nice to see them coming together as a team. I am extremely proud of the girls and what they have accomplished thus far. I know it has been tough for them losing so many games in a row, bet we will overcome this with their continued determination and hard work.”

The Lady Lions closed their lopsided game with a score 66-10.

The Lady Lions traveled to Kyle to face the Lehman Lady Lobos on Tuesday, Jan 27 and will host the Manor Lady Mustangs at the Lion’s Den on Friday, Jan. 30. Check next week’s Post-Register for scores and highlights.

See you at the game.

agarza@post-register.com