By Travis M. Smith | KBEC Sports
WAXAHACHIE — Senior guard Mya Williams scored 36 points in three quarters to lead the Waxahachie Lady Indians over South Oak Cliff on Tuesday.
The victory was the second in three games for the Lady Indians, who previously defeated Irving MacArthur (59-54) and fell to Dallas Pinkston (64-59).
Second-year head girls’ basketball coach Ashlaa Zuniga pointed to the Lady Indians’ half-court offensive execution as a big takeaway. She also voiced that every game from here on out will help the Lady Indians move toward district play.
“I’m not sure our girls knew how strong of a team we were going up against size-wise,” Zuniga said. “We knew they had some size inside and that caused us to start a little sluggish. But our kids ultimately made [SOC] run at the speed that we wanted to run at and it resulted in easy transition baskets, which is always good for us.”
In addition to Williams’ game- and career-high 36 points, McBride added 12 for the Lady Indians, while Taz Valencia had five and Chadarian Miles and Brionna Parker each added three points. Ke’anna Lemont and Scout Burns both chipped in two points and Bre’yunna Blakely scored one.
Mikayla Brown (soph, 6-foot-2) led the Lady Golden Bears with 18 points, while Mani Sanders (junior, 5-foot-5) added 11.
THE GAME
The Lady Indians held a 6-4 lead when senior guard Taznejia Valencia converted on an and-one opportunity with 2:22 to play in the first quarter.
South Oak Cliff answered right back with a three-pointer from the right corner. Mani Sanders then split a trip to the line to pull the Lady Golden Bears within one, 9-8, with 1:37 left in the first quarter.
That’s when Williams (5-foot-7) drilled a triple from the right corner to push the Lady Indians ahead 12-8.
South Oak Cliff ultimately added three free throws to cut the Lady Indian lead to one, 12-11, as the first quarter closed.
Waxahachie then outscored South Oak Cliff 18-3 over the first six minutes of the second quarter to build a 30-14 lead with 2:02 to play in the first half.
The Lady Indians ultimately took a 34-19 lead into the half-time locker room behind Williams’s 19 points.
Williams, the senior guard, scored 13-of-her-19 first-half points in the second quarter and led all scorers at the break.
Waxahachie again came out hot to open a quarter, beginning the third quarter with a 6-2 run to lead 40-21 with five minutes and change to play. Kyla McBride went down near the SOC free throw line with 2:34 to play in the third quarter and the Lady Indians leading comfortably, 45-24. The injury appeared to be in the mouth or face region and she later returned to the game.
The Lady Indians went on an 8-0 run following the injury, capped by McBride laying home two points on a fastbreak assist from Williams.
Waxahachie carried a 53-24 lead into the fourth quarter and never relinquished control.
The Lady Indians ultimately built their lead to 64-41 with 1:52 to play, only to win by a 64-43 final. The victory improved Waxahachie to 2-1 on the season.
“I think we had a great team win,” Zuniga added. “Right now, I am a little concerned about how we play together when we start adding some subs in there. Overall, I thought our kids played well and played together.”
UP NEXT
The Lady Indians will return to action at 6:30 p.m. Friday at home against Denton Braswell. Tickets are limited to immediate family only. A live stream will be provided by the district.