Lockdown

Lipan Lady Indian head coach Amber Branson said she doesn’t pay attention to state polls, which is pretty common among top basketball coaches.

But anyone who does follow the polls would’ve been surprised by Friday’s game between No. 4 Lipan and No. 3 Huckabay, in which Lipan steamrolled its way to a 52-34 win to remain undefeated in District 19-1A.

Lipan scored the first 13 points of the game and held Huckabay scoreless until the 2:45 mark. Junior forward Maggie Peacock, who finished with a team-high 16 points, scored the first seven points of the game. Peacock also had 11 rebounds.

“She runs the floor so well,” Branson said. “That was a big part of the beginning.”

Huckabay star Tiffany Meador, the District Newcomer of the Year in 2019, was held scoreless. Lipan freshman Lynsey Little was assigned to shut down Meador, and she rose to the occasion.

“She was not to worry about anybody but No. 11,” Branson said. “She did it very well.

“It takes a lot of energy and effort. Playing that hard on defensive end the whole game kind of wears you out, and it’s hard to get going on offense. I think Lynsey felt like she struggled on offense, but I think she did a darn good job on defense.”

Lipan led 18-3 after the first quarter. Huckabay began to make little runs in the second quarter, but Lipan junior Kaylee Little was always there to answer with big shots. She finished with nine points, six rebounds and two steals.

Branson said Lipan was constantly expecting Huckabay to make a major run.

“We knew we had to keep them from making a run, because they’re very capable of it,” she said. “It was a 20-point game, but it felt like about a two-point game.”

Taylor Clark buried four three-pointers and had 12 points for the Lady Indians. Dally Coulter had nine points, and Lynsey Little finished with six.

While Branson may not put much stock in the state polls, she and her team aren’t afraid to use them as fuel.

“It’s a great motivator, but it’s a number on a piece of paper,” Branson said. “But you definitely use it as motivation, and we knew coming in they were good.”

Lipan played Three-Way in Hico Tuesday, and will travel to Gorman Friday for a 6:15 tip. The Lady Indians beat Gorman 61-24 earlier this season.

BOYS TOP HUCKABAY

The Lipan Indians (15-9) also beat Huckabay Friday, winning 58-30.

Lipan won the third quarter 20-0. The Indians were led by Tripp Phillips, who put up 14 points. Tate Branson added 10, and Trent Harrison hit a three-pointer to beat the third quarter buzzer.

The Indians will tip off against Gorman Friday after the conclusion of the Lipan girls’ game.