Lady ’Stangs stay alive in 29-2A race

SAN ANTONIO - It took 2-3 quarters for the Nixon-Smiley girls basketball team to get going Friday night.

But thanks to offensive rebounds and strong defensive play in the second half, the Lady Mustangs eventually got going. Nixon-Smiley (19-9, 7-4 in District 29-2A) ran past Cole, 42-26, Friday at Cole High School in San Antonio, and stayed in the thick of the 29-2A playoff race.

Going into tonight's season finale, the Lady Mustangs are tied with Luling and Stockdale for second in the district race. If Nixon-Smiley beats Brooks, Luling handles Randolph and Stockdale takes care of Cole, the teams will finish tied for second, and a series of play-in games will be needed to determine the second- and third-place playoff teams.

"I don't care if we're second or third, I just care that we're in the playoffs," Nixon-Smiley coach Jeff Van Auken said.

In Friday's contest, the Lady Mustangs found themselves in a 10-10 tie with Cole after one quarter of play. The Lady Cougars took a 14-12 lead early in the second quarter before Nixon-Smiley scored the next 8 points to seize a 20-14 lead that would not be relinquished.

The Lady Mustangs led 20-15 at halftime, and scored the first 3 points of the third quarter to build a 23-15 advantage. But five straight points allowed Cole to pull within three, 23-20, before the Lady Mustangs closed out the third on a 9-3 run to take a 32-23 lead into the fourth quarter.

"We mixed up defenses in the second half to confuse Cole and get them out of their groove," Van Auken said. "We did a great job on the offensive glass as well."

Nixon-Smiley closed out the game on a 10-3 run in the fourth. Jazmin Erskine led the Lady Mustangs with 9 points, while Hailey Boatright, Jennifer Flores and Savannah Martinez all had 7.

"We went hard and hustled for the ball throughout the game," Boatright said. "We were in better shape and used to running so we forced them to run with us, and we wore them down."

Nixon-Smiley's tipoff against Brooks is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. today at Nixon-Smiley High School. If the Lady Mustangs take care of business, they will then have to win a play-in game to get into the postseason.

"If we get into the playoffs, we believe that we have as good of a chance as anyone of making it to state," Boatright said. "In the playoffs, it's anyone's game."

Gonzales

Sam Houston jumped out to a 13-8 lead at the end of the first quarter and never looked back as the Lady Canes beat the Gonzales girls basketball team, 55-36, Friday at Sam Houston High School. With the loss, Gonzales (10-21, 5-6 in 28-3A) was eliminated from postseason contention.

Sam Houston went on a 15-5 run in the second quarter to take a 28-13 halftime lead before the Lady Apaches outscored the Lady Canes, 16-11, in the third to pull within 10, 39-29, after three quarters of play. Sam Houston finished the game on a 16-7 run in the fourth quarter.

Donniqua Sanders led all scorers with 16 points. Brittney Pakebusch had 8.

Gonzales concludes its season tonight as the Lady Apaches host La Vernia at 6:15 at Gonzales High School.

Waelder

Austwell-Tivoli jumped out to a 27-3 lead at halftime en route to a 48-7 victory over Waelder Friday at Austwell-Tivoli High School. The Lady Fish clinched a playoff berth with the win.

The Lady Cats were led by Chelsa Nichols and Courtney Orona, who both had 3 points. Waelder (4-15, 2-7 in 30-A-Division II) hosts Moulton at 6 p.m. today in the season finale.