Sports
Lady Spartans Lock Down Westfall To Advance In Playoffs
By: Nate Moore
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It’s that time of year ladies and gentlemen, it’s the playoffs.
This is what the players have worked for all season long. Now, there’s only one goal left in every team’s mind: making a deep postseason run and winning a state championship.
Alexander Lady Spartans took one big step towards reaching the ultimate goal of a championship as they defeated the Westfall Lady Mustangs 70-33.
Going into tonight’s game the Lady Spartans were favored to come out on top, so it was no surprise when the Lady Spartans got off to a hot start. Alexander star Rachel Richardson continued to dominate like she had all season as controlled the pace of the game with her ball handling and scoring, dropping 11 first-half points.
Richardson also got help on the offensive side of the ball from forward Kenna Rice as she finished the night with 18 points and was able to drive and finish at the rim.
When it came to the defensive side of the ball, Westfall tried to limit the dribble penetration of Richardson and Rice and was successful at first. However, the problem with the Lady Mustangs defense was that they gave up way too many offensive rebounds and second-chance opportunities. The Lady Spartans would take full advantage of the extra opportunities from their rebounding and would head into the locker room at halftime with a 38-27 lead over the Lady Mustangs.
Starting out the second half Alexander stuck to their original game plan of driving into the paint and creating close scoring opportunities. However, with 5:56 left in the third quarter, the Lady Spartans used their full court press to speed up the tempo of the game.
The press would turn out to be effective at certain points as Richardson and Erin Scurlock were each able to force a steal. As the game progressed, Westfall would eventually be able to break the press and make a couple of easy layups, forcing the Lady Spartans to change up their game plan again.
As the teams headed into the fourth quarter with Alexander leading by a score of 58-30, the Lady Spartans would play a more conservative style of basketball as they worked their offense and only attacked when a clear scoring opportunity presented itself.
On defense, the Lady Spartans would still continue to keep the same defensive intensity, locking down any scoring attempt the Lady Mustangs tried to put up.
Alexander’s defense would prove to be even better in the second half than it was in the first as they only gave up a total of six second-half points.
You know what the common saying is at this time of year; “defense wins championships”.
Monday night, the Alexander Lady Spartans showed the entire girls division just how dangerous they can against any team in the postseason. As the playoffs continue, make sure to keep up with the playoffs and this year’s Lady Spartans teams as they prepare for their next matchup in the sectional round of the playoffs.