An inability to consistently halt a dominant Vandegrift Viper offense sunk the Hays Rebels in a 51-36 district opening loss Dec. 8.
Hays (8-9) entered the game having won its last three contests, while Vandegrift entered the game winning two of its last three contests.
However, the Vipers dominated the first quarter to take a 14-6 lead. Helping Vandegrift was an offense that nailed four long-range shots in the first frame.
NEXT UP: Hays returns to action when they host Lake Travis Dec. 15 at Bales Gym. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
Hays freshman Lily Guevara put together a solid defensive effort in the quarter, recording a block and a steal in the first few possessions of the game.
Vandegrift continued its offensive onslaught in the second quarter by extending the lead to 18-6 in the first two possessions.
A Rebel three-pointer trimmed the lead down to 18-9, but Vandegrift continued to pile it on.
The Lady Rebels could not muster any consistent offense, and the Vipers ran away with the first half, leading 31-15 at half time.
Coming out of halftime, the Lady Rebels showed a different kind of ferocity they had been lacking.
Senior Gabby Bosquez recorded six points and a steal in the first few minutes of the quarter as she helped her team rally back.
Rebel seniors Lizzy Gibson and Chloe Aguirre began to heat up from three-point range, and the Rebels outscored their opponents 15-9 in the frame.
Vandegrift, which held a solid 40-30 lead after three quarters, dominated the final frame by limiting Hays to six points in the quarter.
While the Rebels successfully limited Vandegrift’s offense, the Vipers held on for the win.
Bosquez led the teams with 26 points, four rebounds and four steals.
Bosquez drilled three long range shots and shot 63.9% from the field overall. Gibson and Aguirre both finished with three points. Aguirre led the team with two assists.
