Top 2 area teams easily advance
The jitters were evident as topranked Brandeis tipped off against Reagan in a Class 6A first-round playoff Tuesday.
The Broncos took the floor at Northside Gym with only one senior and two players who had never competed in the playoffs before.
But Brandeis (27-3) withstood an initial barrage and locked down on defense, allowing just 15 points over the final three quarters to run away with a 53-26 victory.
“We have a lot of young girls, and they had never been in the playoffs, so I think nerves kicked in, me included,” Brandeis junior guard Arriana Villa said. “As the game continued, we got better and better. We just need to make sure we come out strong every game.”
The Broncos’ playoff newcomers eventually found their comfort zone, with sophomore forward Sophia Haberer recording 10 points and seven rebounds, and freshman guard Alexis Parker adding 11 points.
“As the game went on, our nerves settled more and we played more and more together,” Haberer said.
Haberer and Parker were among four Broncos who scored in double figures. Senior guard Claire Hale, who will play at Trinity, led the Broncos with 13 points, and Villa had 11.
Brandeis next plays Austin Westlake (28-7) in a second-round game Thursday, tentatively set for Smithson Valley.
Reagan took a 9-6 lead with 2:50 left in the first quarter when the Rattlers made their third 3pointer of the game. The Broncos adjusted their defense at that point, and it made a difference.
“We were falling back into our defense and we weren’t doing too well,” Villa said. “We went to a 3-2 (zone) to make sure we were all out on the shooting, and we started helping.”
That stalled the Rattlers (10-16) enough to get the Broncos ignited.
Villa got it started, scoring seven points over the final 2:50 of the first quarter, giving the Broncos a 13-11 lead.
“It got us going pretty good,” Villa said of the late first-quarter flurry. “I’m not going to say it was all me. All my teammates got me the ball, and they got me open. It was a team win, and it was really good.”
Besides her offensive contributions, Haberer said Villa helped the Broncos get their defense straight.
“She did a great job defensively, and that sparked us to get some things going offensively,” Haberer said.
Reagan was led by Juliett Martinez’s eight points.
(2) Clark 57, Johnson 31: The No. 2 Cougars roared to a 24-2 start over the first quarter and weren’t challenged in the second game of Tuesday’s Class 6A first-round playoff doubleheader at Northside Gym.
The Cougars were led by senior guard and Incarnate Word signee Ta’Niya Jackson, who had 17 points. Senior center Kendall Young and sophomore guard Sydney Solitaire each added 10.
Clark coach Rihana Houy was happy with her team’s focus from the start.
“It helps us gain a lot of momentum, but at the same time I talk to the girls about being humble and living in the present and not looking forward to the future until we take care of what’s in front of us,” Houy said. “They’ve done a phenomenal job of that all season, and I’m very proud of them to maintain their focus through the season.”
Clark (30-2) will play Smithson Valley (26-8) in the next round later this week. Clark defeated the Rangers 72-43 on Nov. 9 at the Northside ISD tournament.
Sophomore Kalleigh Wakefield had 15 for Johnson (17-17).