Lady Hawks build early lead, hang on for the win

TEXARKANA, Texas — A late rally could not top a fast start.

Pleasant Grove built a 14-point halftime lead and held on for a 73-69 victory over Longview in a girls varsity basketball game on Tuesday at Hawk Gym.

“I was very pleased with how the girls handled the press,” Lady Hawks head coach Marsha Cowling said. “We made good passes and were able to get a lot of layups off their press.

“I was pleased with Bryana Block in how she came in and took over for (an injured) Shanequa Henry. Bryana handled the pressure the way I needed her to. She played very well; she played like a senior today. Our defense was good. I thought that we handled their driving well.”

Block finished with 21 points for Pleasant Grove, including 10 points in the third quarter.

Keshawn Davis’ 6-foot jumper capped an eightpoint run for the Hawks (7-3) in the first quarter. During the run, which gave PG an 11-5 lead, Miaya Ware and Ashanti Levingston hit consecutive layups and Davis nailed two jump shots.

The Lady Lobos (3-3) hit on just 1 of 5 free throws in the second quarter which helped the Hawks pad their lead.

Ware and Levingston each swished in shots from downtown and Block had a pair of layups for Pleasant Grove in the quarter. The Hawks went into the locker room up 42-28.

Block hit on two treys and was 4 for 4 from the charity stripe in the third quarter. Block’s performance helped preserve the Pleasant Grove lead. Asia Lloyd hit two 3-pointers and a layup during the quarter for the Hawks.

PG entered the fourth quarter with a 13-point lead, but Longview keyed in on cutting its deficit.

The Lobos hit a pair of treys early in the third, while the Hawks hit two baskets. Longview inched to within 11.

Later in the quarter, the Lobos connected on two consecutive shots from downtown to make it a six-point game at 72-66. But Pleasant Grove milked the clock down and held on for the win.

The Hawks shot 54 percent from the field as they sank 28 of 52 shots, while the Lobos shot 49 percent on 26-of-53 shooting. PG out-rebounded Longview, 31-26, and had two less turnovers, 18-16.

Ware finished with a double-double for the Hawks with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while teammate Lloyd had 15 points. Levingston finished with 11 points for PG.

Emma Hennard scored 12 points for the Hawks in the junior varsity contest, but the Lobos won, 33-26.

Pleasant Grove plays at New Boston on Tuesday at 5 p.m.