Jill Borreson goes strong to the basket for the Lady Rebels. Borreson, who had 18 rebounds against Lehman in the Wimberley Christmas Hoopsfest, played a key role in helping the Lady Rebs to a fifth-place finish in the tournament. (Photo by Cyndy Slovak-Barton)
by JASON GORDON
The Hays High girls basketball team needed an emotional lift after suffering its first-ever loss against Lehman in the school’s history just before Christmas.
The Lady Rebels certainly got that and more at the Wimberley Christmas Hoopsfest December 27-29. Hays finished fifth in the competitive tournament and got a measure of revenge on Lehman, albeit in a non-district game.
After losing to eventual tournament champion Liberty Hill 67-60 to open pool play, the Lady Rebs beat Rosehill Christian 53-31 behind a balanced scoring attack. Rachel Calabrese and Nicole Alcantara had 10 points each, Jordyne Dugger added seven points and Jill Borreson had six points to lead the Rebels in the final pool play game.
“We really stepped up our defense,” Hays head coach Danny Preuss said. “Even against Liberty Hill, who beat Lake Travis by 25 points in the tournament and were averaging more than 80 points per game, we held them well under their average even though we didn’t play well early in that game.”
Once bracket play began, Hays stomped Fredericksburg 57-25, outscoring the Battlin’ Billies in every quarter. The Lady Rebs led 22-12 at the half and then put the game out of reach with a 20-3 run in the third quarter.
Lexi Flores led Hays with 13 points against Fredericksburg, while Calabrese had 12 points and Borreson added 11 points.
After Hays fell in a tough-fought battle against Lake Travis 66-41, the Lady Rebs rebounded to win its final two games of the tournament to claim fifth place.
One of those wins was against Lehman, which knocked off Hays 58-55 at Bales Gym the previous week.
Although the Wimberley tournament game won’t count in the District 27-4A standings, this time it was all Hays, as the Lady Rebs beat Lehman 55-41 behind 14 points from Jennifer Colonnetta, 10 points from Lindsey McCurdy, and eight points apiece from Borreson, Calabrese and Alcantara.
Borreson also grabbed 18 rebounds for the Lady Rebels against Lehman, which was led by 13 points apiece from Amara Smith and Ariana Gallegos.
Hays jumped out to a 21-11 lead after one quarter of play and Lehman never could recover.
Preuss said he was especially impressed with Borreson, his 6-foot, 3-inch sophomore post.
“This tournament was a real coming out party for Jill,” Preuss said. “She was killer on the boards and she was putting the ball in the basket.”
Preuss said he tried not to put too much emphasis on the fact Hays beat Lehman in a non-district tournament game a week after the Lady Lobos knocked off the Lady Rebs in 27-4A action.
“I think our team was a little bit surprised and angry when they beat us and realized they can’t underestimate them anymore,” Preuss said. “That loss may have been what we needed. I think it showed our team that on any given night you can win or lose no matter if you’re the favorite or the underdog.”
Hays finished off the Wimberley Christmas Hoopsfest with an easy 53-31 win over Dripping Springs. McCurdy was the only Hays player in double-figures in scoring with 11 points.
“It definitely felt good to end the tournament with some wins,” McCurdy said. “I think it will help our confidence heading back into district. It’s going to be important to keep thinking positive heading into the stretch run of district play.”
After taking on Alamo Heights Tuesday night, Hays returns home to host Clemens, which is tied for the district lead, on Friday night at Bales Gym. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
“I think if we can play defense like we did in this tournament for the rest of the district season we’re going to win our share of games,” Preuss said. “We’re on a little winning streak now. Last year we were 1-2 in district like we are now coming out of Christmas break and we won six in a row. We need to go on another streak like that.”
