Lady Lions Clinch Share Of District Title
Wednesday, February 1st, 2012
<em><strong>Photo Courtesy of Mike Whatley Madison Robinson with 16 points leads Lovelady Lady Lions to a district win over Slocum 57-42</strong></em>
LOVELADY – With the Lovelady Lady Lions 57-42 win over Slocum on Friday night, they clinched at least a share of the district 23-1A title, and can claim their seventh straight outright district title with a win on Friday over Alto. Madison Robinson led the charge with 16 points as the Lady Lions were able to pull away late to win the battle of ranked teams in district 23-1A.
Lovelady entered Friday’s contest ranked #7 in class 1A, while the Lady Mustangs sat on the polls at #18 and winners of three-straight since their previous loss to Lovelady. Friday’s contest had the feel of a playoff game, and fit the billing of a marquee matchup.
Slocum would hang with the Lady Lions throughout most of the night behind the play of Brice Sizemore and Cristina Wickersham. The duo would keep things close going into the fourth quarter, where Lovelady would hold a narrow 36-35 lead over the Lady Mustangs.
However, in the final frame it would be all about the Lady Lions. Lovelady would outscore Slocum 21-7 behind the play of Robinson and Lyndsey LaRue on the offensive end, and a superb defensive effort. The Lady Lions would shut down the Lady Mustangs top scorer Valerie Larkin, limiting the sophomore’s ability to touch the ball and find the goal.
That defensive effort along with the efficient offensive attack would lead to the Lady Lions 57-42 win, clinching a share of the district title, and setting the Lady Lions up to clinch the outright title at home on Friday.
Robinson led the Lady Lions with 16 points on the night. LaRue and Laura Driskell added solid nights offensively as the Lady Lions churned out their eighth straight win and 11th win in 12 games. Britney Massie, Mollie Thompson, Miranda Sulewski, and Madyson Gunnels all contributed big games as well for the Lady Lions, who improved to 6-0 in district play and winners of 14 consecutive district games.
Sizemore, a junior point guard, led the Lady Mustangs offensively on the night with 16 points. Sizemore was able to find holes in the Lady Lions defense and exploit them, keeping her team close throughout the night. Wickersham also reached double figures for the Lady Mustangs, scoring 12 in the paint.
The Lady Lions returned home to host the #2 Neches Lady Tigers. Lovelady shocked Neches, then #1, 54-40 in overtime back in December and were looking to sweep the two-time defending state champions.
Lovelady will remain at home on Friday, when the Alto Lady Jackets roll into town with the Lady Lions looking to clinch the outright district title. The Lady Lions coasted to a 69-13 win in Alto earlier in district play.
The Lady Lions will close out district play against the Grapeland Sandiettes on Tuesday, February 7 in Grapeland. The Lady Lions jumped out to a huge first half lead, but the Sandiettes came back to close the gap. Lovelady went on to win that game 57-38, completing a perfect 4-0 first half in district play.
The Lady Mustangs returned home on Tuesday night to face the Latexo Lady Tigers. Slocum blanked Latexo 32-0 in the first half before finishing off an impressive 54-5 win in their first meeting.
On Saturday, February 4 the Lady Mustangs will celebrate Homecoming 2012 when the Grapeland Sandiettes roll into town. A win would clinch the second seed in district 23-1A going into the playoffs for Slocum. The Lady Mustangs defeated Grapeland 72-46 in their first meeting of district play. That game will also be the season finale for the Lady Mustangs.
For pictures and a complete recap of the Lady Lions and Lady Mustangs district action, as well as other area basketball news, check back in The Messenger. Also follow The Messenger on Facebook and check out our website at www.messenger-news.com.
