Hays' Jennifer Colonnetta (left) and Kamryn Kent try and put pressure defense on Alamo Heights during the Lady Rebs' 41-38 home loss Friday night. (Photo by Cyndy Slovak-Barton)
By JASON GORDON
The Hays boys team stayed with Alamo Heights, the third-ranked team in the state in Class 4A, for a bit Friday night, while trying to slow down the pace, but ultimately the Mules kicked it into gear and walked away with a 48-30 victory.
Hays, which fell to 17-13 overall and 5-3 in District 27-4A play, still remains in excellent position to qualify for the playoffs. The Rebels, who were led by Michael Normand’s eight points, play at home against Clemens Tuesday and at Lockhart next Friday. A win in both or even one of those games will likely clinch Hays’ first playoff berth in more than a decade. Jeffrey Rodewald led Alamo Heights, which improved to 24-2 overall and 8-0 in district, with 21 points.
The Hays girls jumped out to a 12-2 lead on Alamo Heights at Bales Gym Friday night but shooting woes ultimately did in the Lady Rebs in a 41-38 loss.
Alamo Heights, behind Jackie Cabello’s 18 points, rallied as the Mules were able to take advantage of Hays’ shooting woes. The Lady Rebs made only 7-of-30 shots in the first half and 6-of-23 in the second half.
“You’re not going to beat good teams shooting 24 percent from the floor,” Hays head coach Danny Preuss said. “I thought we actually played better tonight than we did when we beat Lehman on Tuesday, the baskets just weren’t falling for us.”
Hays tied the game with three minutes left on a Jordyne Dugger layup, but Heights slowly started to pull away and built a 38-32 lead. The Lady Rebs cut it to 38-35 on Nicole Alcantara’s 3-pointer with just over a minute left, and sliced it to 38-37 on another Dugger layup with 14 seconds left. But after two Cabello free throws made it a three-point game, Hays was forced to try a desperation heave from beyond half court that would have tied it, but it didn’t come close to hitting the rim.
Lindsey McCurdy and Jennifer Colonnetta led Hays with nine points each. The Lady Rebs, who fell to 6-4 in District 27-4A play, still have a solid chance to earn second place outright or tie for second place with two league games remaining. Hays plays at Clemens Tuesday night and hosts Lockhart next Friday.
The Lehman girls likely saw their playoff hopes dashed with a 68-53 loss at district-leading Canyon Friday night.
Lehman, which fell to 3-7 in District 27-4A action, trailed only 18-15 after one quarter of play, but the Cougarettes increased that advantage to 38-26 at the break.
Lehman outscored Canyon, which improved to 9-0 in 27-4A, 17-16 in the third quarter, but the Cougarettes pulled away in the final period with a 16-10 run.
Amara Smith had 21 points to lead Lehman and Ariana Gallegos finished with 14 points for the Lady Lobos. Chamaya Turner had 27 points for Canyon to lead all scorers.
The Lady Lobos host Smithson Valley Tuesday night in their final home game of the year.
