Christoval Lady Cougars Playoff Run Ends Against a Stout Panhandle Team

LEVELLAND. TX -- The Christoval Lady Cougars traveled to the South Plains College Texan Dome on Friday to take on the Panhandle Pantherettes in the first round of the regional championship tournament. Unfortunately turnovers killed them and they lost 67-23

Panhandle jumped in the lead from the start and never looked back. They began on a 11-5 run and wouldn't just keep that pace but increase it. Christoval struggled getting through their tough zone defense, and tried relentlessly to get the ball inside. They were only able to score 7 points and seemed to only give up 13, until a buzzer beater by Mason Jones of Panhandle gave them a 15-7 lead. 

The second quarter started with two big stops for the Cougars as they tried to get back into the game. Kaycee Jackson continued her work on the boards snagging multiple rebounds, but was taken out of the game with an injury at the six minute mark. The play after Jackson came out of the game, the Pantherettes were able to hit a three-pointer causing Christoval to take a time out with the score at 18-7. 

The first play after the timeout, Panhandle forced a tough shot that brought the ball to the other side of the court where they hit a three-pointer in transition. Jackson returned to the game with her team trailing 24-7. The Pantherettes didn't allow a point to the Lady Cougars throughout the majority of the quarter. They managed to go on a 17-0 run before Christoval could call a timeout. Fouls and turnovers by Christoval were the main reason for the run. Jackson scored their first basket of the quarter with 1:30 left on the clock. 

The run finally ended thanks to the clock as the Pantherettes extended their lead thanks to a 26-2 run. They led 37-9 going into the locker room. 

"Play for each possession," said Coach Scott Richardson at halftime. " Play for each other."

The very first play of the second half was a great description on how the Cougars were playing. They received the ball first and when they attempted to throw the ball in, they threw it against Allison Vaughn's leg which caused a turnover. They turned the ball over on the first three possessions of the half. The Pantherettes called a time out within the first minute. Jackson scored her first basket of the quarter after the timeout and then went down the court to make a great defensive play. With two minutes left in the quarter the Pantherettes had a long possession with many out of bound saves to find Masyn Reining for a three-pointer. They then went to the other side of the floor to force a turnover and go score an and-1 basket by Graci Veazey. The Pantherettes extended their lead 55-14. 

The fourth quarter was used for time consumption. Panhandle took their time on offense, while not trying to take chances on defense, to keep the clock running. Christoval's second offensive possession ate up nearly two minutes of clock time. Jackson and Graci Jones continued to try and get as many points as they could, but with panhandle's relentless defense they weren't able to carve enough into the deficit as they lost 67-23. 

"We were 9-9 at one point in the season and things looked kind of bleak," said Coach Richardson "The girls rallied together and they won 16 of their last 17 to get here today. I'm really proud how they came together and persevered through some storms." 

Kaycee Jackson had 10 points and many rebounds.