The Boyd Lady Broncos turned in a strong all-around performance, using relentless defense pressure and a complete team effort to defeat the Centertown Lady Warriors, 25-6.
From the opening tip, Boyd applied pressure with its press, making it difficult for Centertown to find its rhythm and creating opportunities for the Lady Broncos on the offensive end. The constant pressure forced the Lady Warriors to work for every possession, while Boyd continued to make things difficult on the defensive side of the ball.
The Lady Broncos’ defensive intensity quickly became one of the biggest factors in the game.. Boyd was able to force turnovers with its pressure and turn those into transitional layups, which allowed them to build their lead.
Rather than allowing Centertown to settle into an offensive rhythm, Boyd continued to attack defensively and make the most of each possession. The Lady Broncos’ ability to trap the ball anywhere on the floor was impressive.
While the Lady Broncos found success offensively, their defense was the difference-maker throughout the game. Boyd was able to create turnovers to transitional layups, which allowed them to control the game from start to finish.
The biggest takeaway from the win was the effort Boyd received from its entire roster. The Lady Broncos rotated through their lineup without seeing a drop in intensity or execution.
The depth allowed Boyd to keep the pressure on Centertown while giving players throughout the game an opportunity to make an impact. Regardless of who was on the floor, the Lady Broncos continued to execute the game plan and play with the same level of effort.
Kayla Brewer was the leading scorer for the Lady Broncos, she finished the night with 8 points. While Nora Long and Oly Cathcart both contributed 5 points a piece.
The offense production came as Boyd capitalized on the opportunities created by its defense. Turnovers quickly became transition chances, and the Lady Broncos converted those chances into layups to keep the momentum on their side.
By the final buzzer, Boyd had put together a complete team performance in the 25-6 victory.
Photos by Rudy DeArmond
Coach Lexi Turner picked up her first win on the sidelines for Eastside Monday night.
Eastside Lady Bulldogs 26
West Lady Wizards 9
It was the momentum swing the Eastside Lady Bulldogs have been looking for ever since the offseason.
Eastside broke through for its first win of the season Monday, pulling away in the second half to beat West 26-9 and give coach Lexi Rowland Turner her first victory on the bench.
The Lady Bulldogs set the tone defensively from the opening tip, holding West scoreless in the first quarter. Mia Rodriguez supplied Eastside’s early offense with two buckets, though points were tough to come by for everybody in a first half that ended with the Lady Bulldogs leading 4-2.
That changed after halftime.
Haven Hicks provided a spark with all eight of her points coming in the second half, then Rodriguez completely took over in the fourth quarter. Eastside erupted for 16 points in the final period as Rodriguez found her groove and helped turn a tight game into a runaway.
Rodriguez finished with a game-high 12 points, while Hicks added eight. Sayla Winfree, Havana Blades and Elizabeth Grigg chipped in two points apiece as Eastside finally got to celebrate a victory.
“I’m not sure those girls have felt a win like that in a long time - they deserved it,” said Turner. “I’m so proud of them. Every player on the roster gave it their all tonight.”
Kayleigh Redmon led West with four points. Itzel Cardenas Lopez and Alison Becerra added two apiece, while Novalee Wood finished with one.
Emberlyn Taylor’s 12 points led the Stars to their first win Monday night.
Bobby Ray Lady Stars 16
Dibrell Lady Wildcats 12
Emberlyn Taylor looked ready to emerge as a star Monday night, especially when Bobby Ray needed one the most.
Taylor poured in 12 points and took over down the stretch as the Lady Stars rallied from an 11-6 deficit entering the fourth quarter to beat Dibrell 16-12 and earn their first victory of the season.
Six of Taylor’s points came in the final 10 minutes, including a pair of crucial free throws as Bobby Ray erased the five-point deficit. She wasn’t alone in delivering when it mattered most. Nyla Millraney and Avery Dodro also came through with fourth-quarter scores as the Lady Stars put together their best offensive stretch of the young season.
Dibrell controlled much of the game early. Piper Hall got the Lady Wildcats rolling with a pair of first-quarter buckets, while Emilia Ramsey and Allison Mendez Montenegro got on the board at the charity stripe in the second, including Ramsey swishing a pair of free throws.
Lyla Wood ultimately led Dibrell with five points, while Hall finished with four.
But the final quarter belonged to Bobby Ray and especially Taylor, whose big finish helped the Lady Stars erase the deficit and move into the win column for the first time.
Hattie Scott continues to fill up the stat sheet for the undefeated Lady Hawks.
Hickory Creek Lady Hawks 22
Morrison Lady Eagles 4
The wins keep piling up for coach Shea Panter and the Hickory Creek Lady Hawks.
Hickory Creek stayed perfect Monday night, leaning on another dominant defensive performance and a big night from Kimber Lowe to beat Morrison 22-4.
Lowe continued to establish herself as a force in the paint. After pouring in 12 points against West last week, the Lady Hawk standout matched that total Monday, using her size and strength around the basket to finish with a game-high 12 points.
Hattie Scott continued her impressive start as well. Scott scored six points, giving Hickory Creek another reliable offensive option alongside Lowe as the Lady Hawks continued to show they have plenty of weapons in their quest to defend last year’s elementary championship.
Daisy George and Addy Walters rounded out the scoring with two points apiece.
As good as Hickory Creek was offensively, its defense made sure Morrison never had an opportunity to mount a comeback. Oakley Morris and Tinleigh George scored two points apiece for the Lady Eagles, but the Lady Hawks pitched a second-half shutout to put the game away.
Girls standings
Boyd 3-0
Hickory Creek 3-0
Irving College 2-0
Centertown 2-1
Bobby Ray 1-2
Eastside 1-2
West 0-2
Morrison 0-2
Dibrell 0-3
