Saturday, April 20, 2024
Lipan — A big third quarter propelled the Lipan Lady Indians to a 47-32 basketball victory over the visiting and athletic Merkel Lady Badgers Friday night.
The Class A state runner-up Lady Indians return most of their squad but have moved up to 2A where they’re ranked seventh. Class 3A Merkel was a playoff team last season.
The teams were knotted 17-17 at halftime, but Lipan’s full-court pressure finally paid off with steals turning into points and a 39-24 lead going into the final quarter.
Returning all-state senior guard Kaylee Little got things rolling for Lipan in the third quarter with a 3-pointer. Senior post Maggie Peacock, also an all-stater, dropped in three buckets to widen Lipan’s lead to 26-21 midway through the quarter.
Taylor Clark swished in a pair of 3-pointers and added a 2-pointer to push the margin to 34-23 with 1:56 left. Trinity Benitez and Lynsey Little also added goals to put Lipan in command.
Lipan Head Coach Amber Branson told her girls at halftime to keep playing hard but start making better decisions. She wanted her girls to get in front of the athletic Merkel girls to deny them the ball.
The team responded and played smarter defense.
“We’ve been pushing defense the last two months,” said Branson, a firm believer that a hustling defense turns into more points.
Lipan hosts Midlothian Heritage Friday at 6:30 p.m. and travels to Cleburne Saturday for a 12:15 p.m. tip.
editor@hcnews.com | 817-573-7066, ext. 245
Lipan 8 9 22 8-47
Merkel 9 8 7 8 - 32
Lipan scorers:
Branson Taylor, 2; Kaylee Little, 3; Lynsey Little, 7; Taylor Clark, 11; Chelsea Lott, 6; Trinity Benitez, 6; Maggie Peacock, 12.
PHOTOS BY DAVID MONTESINO HOOD COUNTY NEWS
