By Moses Leos III
A 1-3 record over a three day span is how the Lehman Lady Lobos completed their run through the 2015 Hays CISD Classic Tournament, which was held Dec. 3-5.
Lehman’s tournament run ended with a 55-47 loss to the Prince of Peace Christian School Eagles in the bronze bracket consolation game Saturday.
Despite the rough road through the tournament, Lehman senior Natalia Barajas said tough opposition provides experience for their trek through district.
“We’re hoping we get our stuff together for district,” Barajas said. “We’re doing what we need to do and hopefully we’ll continue that.”
Barajas said the team started the “first day well,” but a large break between the first two games played a role in their struggles. She said it “tore us down in the second game.”
But Barajas said the primary problem stemmed from a lack of movement on the defensive end.
“We’re working on it during practice, but there’s always room for improvement,” Barajas said.
Lehman’s three losses placed it in the bronze bracket consolation game against the POPCS Eagles. Despite a late rally, Lehman couldn’t overcome POPCS’ height advantage as they fell to the Eagles.
The Lady Lobos were led by freshman Makayla Coy’s 15 point effort. Senior Crystal Montoya scored 14 points in the game against POPCS.
But Lehman was unable to find an answer to Eagle senior guard Cori Schnell, who finished with a game high 29 points. Freshman guard Claire Traeger scored 17 points in the game against Lehman.
POPCS took a 19-6 lead after the first quarter. Lehman responded in the second frame on the shoulders of Montoya and senior guard Janessa Grogan, who combined for 13 of Lehman’s 17 second quarter points. The Lobos rallied back to cut the Eagles’ lead to 32-23 at halftime.
But the Eagles kept Lehman at arms length in the third quarter. Lehman kept pace, but was unable to close the gap, as POPCS led 45-31 after three quarters.
Barajas said the team “started off slow” at the beginning of the game.
“We came out in the second half wanting to win,” Barajas said.
The Lady Lobos worked to cut the gap, eventually pulling to within six points of the Eagles late in the second half. The height of the Eagles, however, proved too much for Lehman to overcome. POPCS staved off the Lehman rally en route to its win.
“It was tough because we lost to height. They were a lot taller than us,” Barajas said. “The thing that kept us in the game is our constant communication.”
For Barajas, the tournament may provide assistance for a Lehman team that is currently tied for third in district. Working as a team is vital, according to Barajas, as this season is the first time the Lady Lobos have played altogether.
She said many district opponents have played together on teams since they were young.
“We’re starting to work as a team,” Barajas said. “That will help us this season.”
