WILLIAMS SCORES 21 TO LEAD LADY INDIANS TO FIRST 7-6A WIN

By Travis M. Smith | KBEC Sports A 21-point fourth quarter propelled the Waxahachie Lady Indians to a 66-52 home win against Mansfield on Tuesday. The win was the first in District 7-6A this season for the Lady Indians, who improved to 1-5 in district action and 9-15 on the season. “It was much needed,” first-year Waxahachie head coach Ashlaa Zuniga told KBEC Sports after the win. “[…] I think our team has bought into making the extra pass and really looking for each other. I don’t know it off of the top of my head, but I would say at least 50-60% of our points were off of assists. “And it’s always good when your team is trying to pass the ball and not be selfish. I think our girls are really trying to learn the offense and, at this point of the season, we are happy to see progress and are excited about that.” Mya Williams led the Lady Indians with a game-high 21 points. The junior guard also finished with five rebounds and one assist. “I was really excited by how well Mya played,” Zuniga said. “Coming off of an injury, it seems like she is becoming more and more like herself every game. It was good to see that.” Halle Becerra scored 17 points to go with her six rebounds and three assists, while Rayna Ross scored 13 points and grabbed eight boards. “Our last few games, we have really been getting good contributions from Halle Becerra,” Zuniga said. “She’s a senior, and I feel like she is really trying to do anything she can do to help us win. She played really well tonight. I also thought Bri Parker had a really good game and she continues to come along for us and does what we ask her to do.” Parker (6), Taz Valencia (5) and Chadarion Miles (4) also scored for the Lady Indians. Zarria Carter and Kendyl Jowell led the Lady Tigers with 18 and 11 points, respectively. Waxahachie out-rebounded Mansfield 30-13, with 12 of those Lady Indian rebounds coming off of the offensive glass. THE GAME Mansfield pulled within two points, 19-17, midway through the second quarter, only to have Becerra score from the low post on the ensuing Waxahachie possession. The Lady Indians then quickly build a seven-point lead behind a Williams three-pointer. The Lady Tigers eventually cut the lead back to two points, 31-29, just before the end of the half. It then dissolved to one after Emily Holland followed a pair of Rayna Ross free throws with a three-pointer inside the final 30 seconds. Waxahachie ultimately carried a 33-32 lead into the half time locker room. The second half began with a Brionna Parker rebound that led to a Taz Valencia three-pointer to extend the Waxahachie lead to 36-32. After Mansfield pulled within two, 37-35, the Lady Indians eventually closed the third quarter on an 8-4 run for a 45-39 advantage. The two teams traded buckets to start the fourth quarter, leaving Waxahachie clinging to a four-point lead, 54-50, as the game turned toward the final five minutes. The Lady Indians then closed out the Lady Tigers on a 12-2 run for the 66-52 victory. Ross scored six of those 12 Waxahachie points during the final scoring run. UP NEXT The Lady Indians return to action at 6 p.m. Friday on the road against Grand Prairie.

WILLIAMS SCORES 21 TO LEAD LADY INDIANS TO FIRST 7-6A WIN

Photo Credit: Fred Phipps/KBEC Sports