ABERNATHY, TX -- The no. 1-ranked Wall Lady Hawks got points throughout their lineup to down no. 20 Canadian 53-41 for the area championship on Friday.
Kaitlyn Stephens, a late-season addition to Wall's varsity roster, proved how she bolsters an already loaded lineup. Stephens saw considerable playing time with Jayden Fiebiger and Sam Rocha in foul trouble. So, the sophomore post made the most of that time as the team's high scorer with 12 points.
However, Fiebiger and Sawyer Lloyd got Wall off to a hot start in the first quarter. The two combined for eight points to help the Lady Hawks to a 15-7 lead after the first. Lloyd would finish the game with 11 points, just behind Stephens.
Then Stephens started to heat up with six points in the second to help Wall move ahead 28-16 going into halftime.
Canadian then started to claw back behind a 13-point third quarter. After the quarter, Wall still led 39-29 thanks to a three-pointer from Lloyd and six points from Rocha.
Lloyd and Stephens combined for eight points in the fourth quarter as Wall held on to their double-figure margin.
Wall (29-1) will face Shallowater on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in Lamesa.
Anastas, Mangus Unstoppable in Mason's Dominance of Normangee
Presley Anastas and Ruby Mangus combined for 46 points in no. 2-ranked Mason's 64-47 win over Normangee on Friday.
Mangus had the game-high mark of 23 points thanks to eight field goals. Anastas scored nine of her 20 points from behind the arc Friday night.
Mangus continued her dominant streak in the paint from the start of this game, scoring 13 of Mason's 26 first quarter points to help the Cowgirls to a 26-7 lead. The senior post also tallied five points in the second to help Mason maintain a 38-20 lead at halftime.
McKenzie Cano helped Mason grow their lead to 55-33 after the third thanks to seven points.
Mason (34-1) has now won their last 28 games. They'll face Somerville in the regional semifinals.
Stingy Fourth Quarter Defense Sends Christoval to Regional Semis
The Christoval Lady Cougars used stout defense to beat Smyer, 35-19, on Thursday night in a Class 2A Region I area playoff game.
Smyer couldn't get into rhythm, scoring below double figures in each of the four quarters. Christoval's defensive night was highlighted when the Lady Cougars allowed just two points in the final quarter.
However, Christoval started out slow and led 8-6 after the first quarter and 14-10 at halftime. Smyer cut that deficit to three points entering the fourth quarter.
Sophomore Graci Jones then gave Christoval a spark with seven points during a 15-point fourth quarter to secure the win.
Jones finished the game as the only player in double figures with 13 points.
Christoval will move on to the regional quarterfinal where they'll play either no. 6-ranked Haskell (28-2) or Seagraves.
Veribest Tackles Buena Vista for Area Title
The Veribest Lady Falcons continued their rise to glory with a dominant 61-23 win over Imperial Buena Vista on Thursday.
It's the program's first area title in the decade.
Veribest will face district foe Blackwell in the regional quarterfinals next week.
Scores from the area:
Friday
- Somerville 69, Junction 42
- Eden def. Grandfalls-Royalty
- #10 Rankin 59, Robert Lee 56
- Bushland 46, Ballinger 20
Thursday
- Morton 42, #4 Garden City 31
- #3 Idalou 66, Sonora 27
This story will be updated. Scores and stats can be sent to the sports editor at [email protected]
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