Lehman post Ariana Gallegos (right) and Hays post Jordyne Dugger fight for a loose ball during the Lady Lobos' 58-55 win at Bales Gym Tuesday afternoon. It was the first time in school history the Lehman girls basketball team beat the Lady Rebels. (Photo by Judy Cooper)
By JASON GORDON
No present Santa could deliver could top the one the Lehman girls basketball team earned Tuesday afternoon.
The Lady Lobos beat Hays for the first time in school history, ending a streak of Lady Rebel domination with a thrilling 58-55 victory at Bales Gym.
“This is the best Christmas present ever,” said Lehman post Ariana Gallegos, who finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds. “This is all we ever wanted as a program.”
The Hays girls basketball team, which qualified for the state tournament in 1976, 1980, 2001 and 2009, and has been the most consistent program in the history of the school, didn’t expect Lehman to come out and play with the passion it took to topple the Lady Rebels. Especially after the Lady Lobos lost their first two district games of the season to Clemens and Lockhart.
“We took Lehman lightly,” said Hays guard Nicole Alcantara. “We assumed history would repeat itself. We learned a valuable lesson that you can never underestimate your opponent.”
Lehman didn’t back its way into this win. The Lady Lobos were diving on the floor for every loose ball and battling for every rebound.
Lehman trailed by seven points in the first half and nine points in the second half and both times made a surge to take the lead.
“I told the team this is our moment,” said Lehman head coach Jamie Coy. “What better Christmas present to go home with than a win against Hays? These girls made history and no one can ever take that away from them.”
Hays, which fell to 1-2 in District 27-4A, turned a 27-24 halftime deficit into a 42-33 lead late in the third quarter thanks to a 9-0 run keyed by three Jennifer Colonnetta layups and a Lindsey McCurdy 3-pointer, and it appeared any hopes of a Lehman upset were dashed.
The Lady Lobos proved quickly that they weren’t finished, as sophomore Oliva Marzullo hit back-to-back 3-pointers to open the fourth quarter to pull Lehman to within 42-39.
The game was definitely on when Cydney Ervin banked in a 3-pointer for the Lady Lobos, tying the score at 44 all with five minutes remaining.
Lehman would continue to apply the pressure. Ervin and fellow Lady Lobo guard Amara Smith dove to the floor to secure a tie up and gain possession, and shortly afterward Marzullo hit four straight free throws to give Lehman a 48-44 lead.
Jordyne Dugger gave Hays its last lead with a layup with three minutes left.
After that, Gallegos made two straight stellar moves in deep post for layups, and Lehman led 54-51 with 90 seconds left.
Alcantara had a chance to tie the game late for Hays, but her running jumper in the lane was just long, and Marzullo, who finished with 15 points in the final quarter and 18 in the game, nailed four more free throws to put the victory on ice.
The two teams will square off again at Lehman Jan. 24.
“They wanted to show us up at Hays,” Alcantara said. “We have to prove to them we can do the same thing on their court. We’ll be ready.”
