Monday’s non-district matchup between the Hays Rebels and state-ranked Pflugerville Panthers took on the feel of a wild roller coaster ride.
But a gritty effort in the final seconds, along with a late Pflugerville miscue, helped Hays escape with a key 52-50 win.
Hays High senior Gabby Bosquez, who tallied a game-high 24 points, said she believed the win could provide motivation for the Rebels as they start district play.
“It means a lot at the start of district play and it boosts our confidence,” Bosquez said. “We haven’t started district well, but beating this team ... it should motivate us. If we play like ourselves and just play basketball, we can do good stuff this year.”
Both teams approached the game with a fast-paced, high-energy pace as Hays and Pflugerville traded leads and runs.
Ball security was an issue both teams struggled to rectify. Both Hays and Pflugerville committed numerous turnovers during the course of the game.
Hays head coach Danny Preuss said defense from both sides played a role in turnover woes. Preuss said he focused on his team driving the ball into the lane, but that his team is a “jump-shooting team.”
“At times it was a sloppy game. At times, it was a very well executed game,” Preuss said. “They’re good. They’re fast. If you don’t meet the pass and you don’t make the pass, they’ll get (turnovers).”
Bosquez said the team could have been more decisive on “what we wanted to do.”
“We were rushing a lot of stuff and we could have slowed down and made smarter decisions,” Bosquez said. “It was fast-paced and everything happened so fast.”
Hays and Pflugerville were tied at 12-12 in the second quarter when the Panthers forged a 10-0 run aided by four consecutive Hays turnovers.
The Rebels countered right back with a 9-3 run to close out the first half, pulling within two points at 25-23 at halftime.
Bosquez said rallying for runs helped spur momentum for the group.
“It increased our confidence and our willingness to keep engaged and not give up,” Bosquez said.
The blistering pace continued into the third frame as both teams went punch-for-punch.
A three-pointer by Bosquez in the latter seconds gave Hays a 36-33 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
But Pflugerville, led by Britney Onyeje and London Clarkson, rallied right back in the final quarter.
After Hays took a 43-41 lead, Pflugerville powered ahead for a critical 7-0 run capped off by a Onyeje bucket in transition off a Rebel turnover.
Pflugerville had a 48-43 lead and the momentum. But Preuss said willpower helped Hays in the end.
The Rebels clawed their way back with a 7-0 run highlighted by a three-pointer from guard Choon Hee Chae that tied the score at 50-50.
Preuss said the Rebels were helped by play from Bosquez, Chae, Meagan Andrews and Jada Finister.
Luck then shined the Rebels’ way with 12 seconds left. Pflugerville, which was over the limit on fouls, suffered a miscue as a player fouled Chae in the backcourt with the game tied.
Chae sunk both free throws to give Hays a two-point lead. Hays’ defense clamped down to close the game.
Preuss said the game was reminiscent of last year’s playoff game against Pflugerville, which the Rebels lost down the stretch.
He said pulling out the game in the end could provide a boost as district continues Friday on the road at Lake Travis.
“We’ve got to get ready for these. There is no one in this district we can take lightly,” Preuss said. “You have to show up night in, night out.”
