Liberty-Eylau routs Prairiland, 62-25
TEXARKANA, Texas — Liberty- Eylau and Prairiland started their nondistrict girls basketball sluggish.
Once the flow of the game began, the Lady Leopards ran past the the Lady Patriots Friday night at the Rader Dome, 62-25.
“We have a certain number as a team we’re looking to score each quarter,” Liberty-Eylau head coach Aquanetta Watson said. “We also have a goal on how many points we’re allowed to give up each quarter. The girls have made a conscious effort to reach our goal and it shows with their play.
“I’m pleased with the defensive effort we gave tonight. We were active and in pursuit of the ball.”
Liberty-Eylau opened the second half on a 12-2 run before the Patriots took their first timeout of the half at the 5:00 mark in the third quarter.
Bryana Block led the Leopards with 27 points, five steals and four rebounds, while teammate Tamara Norris added 11 points with six rebounds.
“We have a drill that we practice daily, where it’s just you and the person you’re guarding,” Watson said. “We were able to carry over aspects of that drill in the game tonight and it showed with our transition baskets.
“We have a few things we can clean up from tonight’s game but we’re glad to get the win.”
Block had two consecutive steals, which she converted into transition layups, adding to L-E’s cushion in the second quarter, 14-2, with 4:34 left before intermission.
Block scored 10 unanswered before Prairiland was able to get on the board in the second period.
L-E forced 17 Prairiland turnovers in the first half, while committing eight.
Myah Heard cleaned the glass for 12 rebounds with seven points for the Leopards and teammate Kayla Crabtree added eight points.
The Leopards swarming defense held Prairiland scoreless until the 1:30 mark in the first quarter.
“We stress to the girls everyday about the importance of rebounding,” Watson said. “I told the girls before the game that we need to make sure we can get as many extra shots as we can, and those come by rebounding.
“Attacking the glass is important with what we’re trying to accomplish this season.”
The Leopards won the junior varsity game with the Patriots, 38-29.
L-E is back in action next week in the Longview Tournament.