Lady Lions Fall To Neches
Monday, February 6th, 2012
LOVELADY – Back in mid-December the Lovelady Lady Lions waltzed into Neches and stole a 54-50 overtime win over the then #1 ranked Lady Tigers. Both teams have played extremely well since that point with Lovelady winning 12 of 13 games, and playing like one of the hottest teams in the state of Texas.
Neches got their shot at revenge on Tuesday night, and took advantage, using a big third quarter to down the Lady Lions 60-38 in Lovelady.
Both teams found themselves evenly matched in the first quarter, with the score sitting at 14-13 in Neches’ favor i. Lovelady found an early groove, allowing them to keep pace with the very athletic two-time defending state champions.
Neches then took a little more control of the game in the second quarter. The Lady Tigers would outscore Lovelady 18-6, opening up a 13-point lead at the half. Neches would use their very effective full-court press, forcing the Lady Lions into turnovers and converting them into easy baskets.
Things didn’t get any better in the third quarter as the Lady Tigers would continue to push ahead. Neches would go on to outscore Lovelady 20-4, to take complete control of the game. The Lady Tigers would silence the Lady Lions normally potent offense, and pull away in front of the Lady Lions home crowd.
Lovelady would make a run in the fourth quarter, but the deficit was too much. Trailing by almost 30 points, the Lady Lions would put forth a strong showing in the final quarter. Lovelady would outscore Neches 15-8 in the final frame, cutting the deficit to 22 before the final horn.
Madyson Gunnels led the Lady Lions with 14 points on the night, as the Lady Lions struggled during the middle quarters to find their groove offensively. Lyndsey LaRue, Laura Driskell, and Madison Robinson all played hard for the Lady Lions in the loss.
The Lady Lions returned home on Friday for Senior Night as they looked to wrap up their seventh straight outright district title. In their way were the Alto Lady ‘Jackets (0-6) who the Lady Lions cruised past two weeks ago in district play.
Lovelady will take to the road on Tuesday, February 7 when they face off against the Grapeland Sandiettes looking for their third straight perfect district season. The Lady Lions defeated Grapeland in their first meeting of district play by a final score of 57-38 win despite a spirited comeback by the Sandiettes in the second half.
