Stephanie Peace and the Hays High girls basketball are playing their best at the right time of the season. The Lady Rebs, who will face off against a yet-to-be determined playoff foe next week, finished the regular season tied for second in District 27-4A. (Photo by Cyndy Slovak-Barton)
by JASON GORDON
No one quite knew what to expect of the Hays High girls basketball team this season, although the program had been a model of consistency for more than 20 years before.
For the first time in 16 years, the Lady Rebels had a new head coach after Donny McDonald retired during the offseason, and nine seniors graduated off a team that went to state in 2009.
But first-year head coach Danny Preuss has helped guide the Lady Rebels and their five new varsity starters to an 8-4 record and at least a second-place tie in District 27-4A, which is pretty impressive after the Lady Rebs started the league season 0-2.
“Looking at the schedule before the season if someone would have said we were going to finish 8-4 in this district I probably would have taken it,” Preuss said. “A lot of people didn’t think we were even going to make the playoffs. I think we proved a lot.”
Preuss and the Lady Rebels aren’t sure who their first-round playoff opponent will be next week, but he likes the way Hays is playing heading into the playoffs.
In a game delayed one day because of icy conditions, Hays traveled to Lockhart late Saturday afternoon and knocked off the Lady Lions 59-29.
The Lady Rebs steadily pulled away from Lockhart, using a 10-0 run early in the third quarter keyed by a relentless pressing defense to put the game out of reach.
Four Hays players scored in double-figures, Jalaesa Jones had 15 points, and Javon Saucedo, Nicole Alcantara and Ashlee Johnson, who also had 10 rebounds, scored 10 points each to key the balanced attack.
Perhaps the most exciting thing to witness in Hays’ regular-season finale was the fact that every one of the team’s players that were moved up from the junior varsity level got to play.
Sophomore Jennifer Colonnetta scored seven points, freshman Jill Borreson had two points and four rebounds, freshman Lindsey McCurdy had two points and two rebounds, and freshman Jordan Duggar had two rebounds.
“It was great to see some of those girls who have worked so hard all season get in the game on varsity,” Preuss said. “It’s always nice when everyone gets to play.”
Preuss said he thinks his team will be ready no matter who the Lady Rebs happen to square off against in the playoffs. Hays will likely play either Boerne Champion, Medina Valley or San Antonio Brennan in the first round.
“Our team is playing with confidence heading into the playoffs,” Preuss said. “Our success in the playoffs depends on three things, continued great defense, limiting turnovers and making a few shots.”
