Despite losing their leading scorer to a high-ankle sprain, the Dripping Springs Lady Tigers’ execution of team basketball led to a 57-35 blowout win over the Alamo Heights Mules Friday night in Tiger Gym.

The first quarter got off to an ominous start for Dripping Springs, which didn’t shoot the ball well.

“It was a very slow and sloppy start,” said Lady Tiger head coach Laura Joiner. “I think part of it was because she was missing and everybody was a little concerned if we were still gonna be as good.”

With a 46-23 lead early in the fourth period Dripping Springs’ freshman Sarah Nading, who was moved up to varsity last week, goes up and over the out-stretched arms of Cici Castillo (12) defending for Alamo Heights. (photo by Wayland D. Clark, wfotos.com)

The second quarter belonged to the Lady Tigers on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball.

Dripping Springs’ approach all season has been to use its defense to create offense. The Tigers’ theme rang true as Dripping Springs forced eight turnovers on 11 Mules’ possessions.

With only one senior on her squad, Alamo Heights head coach Megan Trosper said that her predominantly young team lost confidence.

“I’ll chalk it up to our lack of experience,” said Trosper. “But hey, we get to face them again later in the season, so hopefully we’ll have more confidence next game.”

Drippings Springs outscored the Mules 20-3 in the second quarter to take a 29-13 lead into halftime.

Both teams executed fundamental basketball in the third period. Both Dripping Springs and Alamo Heights played strong defense; however both also featured exceptional offense.

Dripping Springs had a 43-20 lead going into the fourth quarter.

Despite suffering through a poor shooting night, forward Danielle Northrup was able to record a game high 15 points and 15 rebounds for another double-double on the season.

“Danielle is such a competitor, probably the toughest kid on her team, you know every night what you’re gonna get from her,” said Joiner. “She’s gonna go hard on every play, she’s gonna give you everything she’s got, she’s just one of those kids you can count on for all 32 minutes.”

The Lady Tigers outrebounded 36 to the Mules 15 in the game. 

Dripping Springs continued to give maximum effort, creating five turnovers on the Mules’ first 10 possessions of the fourth frame.

Joiner said she was able to play every available player on her bench and had nine of the ten players tally points, with three in double digits. Joiner gave credit and applauded her team’s resiliency with multiple players out with injuries and sicknesses.

“I was so proud of our group for really rallying together as a team and saying we can do this,” Joiner said. 

Joiner said they were “saving the best for last” as they hit two threes late in the fourth to secure the victory.

Similarly, the young Mules team did not surrender either, competing until the last second and scored six points in the last minute.