Marble Falls girls basketball beats Gainesville
CAPTION: The Marble Falls Lady Mustangs display a stingy defense that didn’t allow Gainesville to get comfortable offensively as sophomore guard Mikaela Valdez (5), sophomore forward Adalynn Wood and senior forward Leslie Reynoso don’t give a clear passing lane to kick the ball out while senior guard Rayleigh Crim tries to anticipate where the ball will go. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
The Marble Falls High School girls basketball team crushed Gainesville 60-24 Nov. 20 to begin pool play of its own Hill Country Classic.
The Lady Mustangs (3-3) seized control of the contest from the start, racing to a 17-5 lead in the first period.
“Our biggest focus is being in control,” head coach Adley Canales said. “All we can control at the start of the game is the first quarter. We don’t need to worry about the second, third or fourth or anything like that. We’re just strictly focused on winning the first quarter.”
That advantage went to 33-9 at the half and 52-14 after the third quarter.
“The goal is to win the game,” the coach said. “But if we don’t win the first quarter, then we’re in a hole. And now we’re scrambling. But if we win the first, then we’re in control, and we’re dictating what happens the rest of the way. That’s been our biggest goal is control. We do our job in the first quarter. Then we’re able to dictate what we want to do versus having to play catch up.”
Marble Falls did it by applying pressure with its full-court press that resulted in steals and deflections then went to the basket for quick buckets. When they had to set up in a half-court offense, the Lady Mustangs spread the floor and used quick passes to set up one-on-one opportunities close to the basket. In addition, the Lady Mustangs didn’t put the Lady Leopards on the foul line as illustrated by Gainesville making 2 of 6 free throws.
Canales noted that his players demonstrated they saw what the Lady Leopards were doing and put themselves in plays that helped build the lead.
“Their ability to do that, to understand if we have an advantage, take the advantage of transition,” he said. “If we don’t, then be patient, be deliberate. ‘I’m gonna wait till we get the shot that we want.'”
Marble Falls made 20 two-point field goals with just about every player scoring. Senior forward Leslie Reynoso led with 15 points followed by freshman Emma Martin with 13, sophomore forward Adalynn Wood added 10, sophomore guard Siyah MacIntosh, freshman Addie Martin and sophomore Ally Moran each scored five, junior Alexis Sprott dropped in three, sophomore Mikaela Valdez and senior guard Rayleigh Crim each finished with two.
The coach noted the intensity didn’t drop throughout the contest.
“The team was engaged the whole time,” he said. “They have been great teammates, which is what we want. It just shows that they’re fighting for something bigger than themselves, and they generally care about each other. And that speaks volumes, especially from the outside and you see it. They’re engaged, and they’re cheering for each other. And they’re beating coaches off the floor to give high fives, which is good to see.”
Marble Falls finishes pool play against Austin St. Dominic Savio at noon Friday, Nov. 21, at Max Copeland Gym then enters pool play in the afternoon. All tournament games are at Marble Falls High School.
CAPTION: Marble Falls sophomore Ally Moran (3) posts up and seals the defender to give sophomore Madalynn Wood an open look at the basket. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
