Lipan survives ‘challenge’ to capture championship

STATE CLASS 2A GIRLS BASKETBALL | LIPAN 44, MARTIN’S MILL 39

Lipan survives ‘challenge’ to capture championship

BY ROGER ENLOW

Editor

SAN ANTONIO — They won it all this year the hard way.

The Lipan Lady Indians lost the state basketball championship last season but returned to the grand stage for a shot at redemption.

They were not to be denied.

The Lady Indians held off Martin’s Mill 44-39 Thursday morning in the cavernous Alamodome not far from where other heroes staked a place in Texas history (Remember the Alamo).

The victory was historic because Lipan moved up to tougher competition in Class 2A. Not many teams can claim playing in consecutive state title games in different classifications.

“We took (this) as a challenge year,” Lipan head coach Amber Branson said.

The Lady Indians (30-3) answered the challenge with a district championship and six playoff victories en route to the championship game.

“Absolutely unreal,” Branson answered when asked how her second state title feels. (Lipan won in 2016). “It’s always the goal, but we knew it would be a battle. I’m so incredibly proud of these kids.”

Lipan dominated for most of the championship, trailing only once, 5-4 midway through the first quarter. The Lady Indians led 10-9 after the first quarter, 29-19 at intermission and 35-23 going into the final quarter.

The Lady Mustangs (28-5), with former Lipan boys assistant coach Tommy Cross at the helm, refused to fold. They chipped away at Lipan’s lead, cutting the margin to four points, 40-36, with 1:36 left in the game.

However, scrappy defense by freshman guard Taylor Branson forced a traveling violation and missed Lady Mustangs shots gave the Lady Indians a sigh of relief.

Lipan sophomore Chelsea Lott, voted as the championship game’s Most Valuable Player, scored a critical basket with 12 seconds left to give Lipan some breathing room at 42-36. However, Jada Celsur hit a 3-pointer in the closing seconds as Martin’s Mill pulled within 42-39.

Martin’s Mill was forced to foul, and Lott went to the foul line with only 1.4 seconds left. She calmly sank both shots to ice the game, 44-39.

Lott led the Lady Indians with 18 points, and Maggie Peacock added 10. Peacock, a senior, was trying to hold back tears after the game, but it was tears of joy this time.

“We didn’t want to feel that gut-wrenching feeling again,” she said. “It motivated us.

Lipan 10 19 6 9 — 44

M.Mill 9 10 4 16 — 39

Lipan scorers: Taylor Branson 6, Marti Seymour 3, Kaylee Little 2, Lynsey Little 2, Chelsea Lott 18, Trinity Benitez 3, Maggie Peacock 10.

Leading Lipan rebounders: K. Little 5, Lott 5, Benitez 4, Peacock 4.

Leading Lipan assists: K. Little 4.

Leading Lipan steals: L. Little 2.

Total rebounds: Lipan 28, Martin’s Mill 40.

Turnovers: Lipan 12, Martin’s Mill 18.

Lipan FG: 15-42; Lipan FT: 11-18.

Martin’s Mill FG: 14-45; Martin’s Mill FT: 6-9.

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