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Monday, Nov. 5
Freshman
The Lady Lion Freshman Basketball team began the 07-08 season in magnificent
style Monday night with a dramatic come from behind victory 20-19 over the
Plfugerville Connally Lady Cougars.
Lockhart traveled to Pflugerville for the first game of the season. Lockhart
would get down early in the contest as the defensive pressure slowed down
the Lady Lions. “Connally was playing pretty good ½ court deny defense and
we struggled a little getting into our offense,” stated Coach Johnston.
Guard Alyson Baltierra would hit 1 of 2 free throws in the quarter for the
Lady Lions as they would trail at the end of the first quarter 6-1.
The Lady Lions would settle down in the quarter and did a much better job
keeping possession of the basketball. “We were definitely more comfortable
in the second quarter and made some good plays,” noted Johnston. Post
Samantha Duncan hit a free throw and Baltierra added a basket and the Lady
Lions went into half-time with a 11-4 deficit.
The beginning of the third quarter would see Lockhart give up a basket to
Connally, which extended the lead to 9 points. However, the Lady Lions hit a
groove and took over the momentum of the game scoring the last 8 points of
the quarter to cut the lead to 13-12. Four different Lady Lions would get
in the scorebooks in the 3rd quarter. Guards Shanice Nino and Alsyon
Baltierra scored baskets along with posts Gwen Sanders and Karla
Stovall. “We really attacked the offensive glass in that 3rd quarter…driving
to the basket for short jump shots and getting the offensive boards and put
backs,” stated Johnston. “I was pleased with our resilience and
determination when Connally increased the lead on us. This team showed their
character and I am excited about working with this team,” added Johnston.
The fourth quarter would see Connally make a run of their own scoring 6
unanswered points to take a 19-12 lead. However, the Lady Lions remained
poised and continued to give 100%. With just around 2:38 remaining in the
contest Lockhart would make a final run at the Lady Cougars. Samantha Duncan
hit 3 jumpers off the glass to cut the lead to 1. With just under 30 seconds
remaining the Lady Lions got a defensive stop and made an outlet pass to
point guard Alysia Peralez. Peralez pushed the ball up the right side of the
floor and with the defense recovering to the basket Peralez executed a
perfect jump stop just inside the 3 point line off the right elbow and
nailed the seventeen foot jumper…a perfect swish. Lockhart would rotate back
defensively slowing down the Lady Cougars and deflecting the ball out of
bounds with 8 seconds remaining. After a Connally timeout the Lady Lions
hunkered down defensively and trapped the ball on the baseline deflecting a
pass out to the top as the final buzzer sounded, a sound that ended in
jubilation for the Lockhart Lady Lion Basketball team. “The girls never gave
up and continued to play for the entire 32 minutes. I am extremely proud of
the effort our girls gave tonight,” stated Johnston. The Lady Lions used a
heavy rotation of players with all contributing to the win. Starters for the
first game were, Alyson Baltierra, Shanice Nino, Alysia Peralez, Gwen
Sanders and Samantha Duncan . Applying great defensive effort off the bench
from the guard position were Nicole Matteson, Ashley Harper Amy Alvarez and
Whitney Brawley. Shutting down the inside game from the post position were
Karla Stovall and Emily Nairn. “It was a complete team effort and it is a
great beginning to the season,” noted Johnston.
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