Hays sophomore post Jordyne Dugger gets away from two Clemens would-be defenders for an easy layup during Hays’ 48-33 comeback win. Duggar scored nine points in the victory, which moved Hays’ District 27-4A record to 3-2. Fellow post Jennifer Colonnetta led Hays with 15 points and 12 rebounds, and guard Lindsey McCurdy scored all of her 11 points in a pivotal second half that saw the Lady Rebs outscore Clemens 27-7. (Photo by Cyndy Slovak-Barton)
by JASON GORDON
As a Clemens team sporting an undefeated mark in District 27-4A entered Bales Gym Friday night, Lady Rebel head coach Danny Preuss expected his team to be in for a battle.
As the game’s first 16 minutes played out, that’s exactly what it seemed Hays was in for as Clemens built a 26-21 lead and appeared to be showing the Lady Rebs exactly why they were in a first-place tie with Canyon in 27-4A play this season.
But something quite different took place in the second half, and the Lady Rebels once again established themselves as contenders for not only a playoff spot this season but perhaps the district title.
Hays outscored Clemens 27-7 after the break to cruise to a 48-33 victory.
“I looked at my assistant coaches midway through the fourth quarter and asked them if they realized Clemens had only scored four points so far in the second half,” Preuss said. “It was one of the best halves of basketball we’ve played all year.”
Preuss said he didn’t tell his team, which improved to 3-2 in district play, anything magical at halftime.
“I told them to just go out and play like we know how,” he said. “In the second half we found people with assists in the right place on the floor, we hit big 3-pointers and we made our free throws when we needed to.”
Lady Rebel guard Lindsey McCurdy hit two clutch 3-pointers in the second half and made all six of her free throws, scoring all of her 11 points in the game after the break.
Hays post Jennifer Colonnetta was also nearly unstoppable in the paint, scoring 15 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.
The Lady Rebels are now a half-game out of second place behind Clemens (3-1) in the close District 27-4A race.
“If we can play defense like we did in the second half of the Clemens game we’re going to be ok the rest of the season,” Preuss said. “I was really impressed with every aspect of our game in that second half.”
Hays was scheduled to play at Lockhart Tuesday night. The Lady Rebs are off on Friday and will host first-place Canyon on Tuesday January 17. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
