Lady Stangs rout Lake View for their first win in 5-4A basketball

SAN ANGELO — Sweetwater trailed by a point after one quarter Tuesday in its District 5-4A contest at San Angelo Lake View, but took its first lead on a Lauren Biera hoop to start the second quarter and led by seven, 16-9, at halftime.

That first half surge by Sweetwater led to a dominating second half, resulting in a 53-23 win over Lake View for Sweetwater’s first victory in 5-4A play. Sweetwater is 1-1 (12-13 overall) while Lake View is 0-2, 2-18.

Sweetwater had just two wins a year ago so its total wins represent a 500 percent improvement under head coach Caleb Thomasson. In fact, the Lady Mustangs have one more win this season than the last two combined. But they will have a major challenge ahead of them on Friday when Sweetwater goes on the road again to face district co-leader Levelland, No. 6 ranked in Class 4A at 2-0, 22-3.

Sweetwater lost its district opener to Lubbock Estacado this past Friday, 61-19, but scored three more points (22) on Tuesday in the fourth quarter alone.

Marissa Garcia had 10 of her 13 points and Toreyna Saddler seven of her 11 in the period. Sweetwater also got 10 points from Kendall Daniel, seven by Jenika Fuentes, five from Aunisti Griffin, three from Trinity McGee and two by Biera and Hanna Vera against Lake View. The Lady Mustangs hit six 3-pointers, three by Garcia and one each by Fuentes, Daniel and Griffin. All three of Garcia’s 3-pointers were in the second half as were all 13 points. Lake View trailed by 13, 31-18, after three periods and was outscored 22-5 the final eight minutes by Sweetwater.

Both Sweetwater teams will be at Levelland on Friday, as the boys (17-6) start 5-4A play.