Lady Leopards throttle Gilmer Buckeyes, 68-52
TEXARKANA, Texas — Liberty-Eylau avenged its loss to Gilmer from earlier in the season.
The Lady Leopards throttled the Lady Buckeyes Friday night at the Rader Dome, tying for first place in District 15-4A, 68-52.
“Hats off to our girls,” LibertyEylau coach Lamarcus Franklin said. “They’ve remained focused all season long. We always talk about weathering a storm. We’ve been waiting to get back to this game. We feel like we let the first one get away.”
Gilmer’s perimeter shooting warmed up in the fourth quarter, slicing the Leopards’ lead to 14 points with 1:36 left in the game.
Bryana Block led all scorers with a game-high 25 points and five rebounds. Block also had three steals.
”I’m proud of the passion our girls are playing with,” Franklin said. “I’m glad they were able to take what we’ve been practicing and use it during the game when it really matters.”
Kayla Crabtree stopped a 9-4 Buckeye offensive run for the Leopards, slashing to the basket and drawing a foul on a Gilmer defender.
Crabtree knocked down both free throws, giving L-E a 20-point lead, 40-20.
Gilmer had no answer for L-E’s ability to jump the passing lane and full-court defense.
The Leopards forced 18 Gilmer turnovers during the contest.
“I think that’s the best we’ve played in the first half all season,” Franklin said. “We always preach about having a fast start, so it was nice to come out against a great opponent and get the start we’ve been looking for.”
L-E continued to score points throughout much of the second quarter.
Myah Hurd weaved to the basket past two Gilmer defenders, giving L-E a 20-5 edge.
Hurd finished with 15 points and five rebounds.
Liberty-Eylau held Gilmer to single digits until Lele Morton hit a mid-range jump shot for the Buckeyes, cutting into L-E’s
We’ve been waiting to get back to this game. We feel like we let the first one get away.”
— Liberty-Eylau coach Lamarcus Franklin
lead, 35-11.
The Leopards were able to gain a double-digit lead over Gilmer in the first quarter with their backside rebounding and their ability to make their shots from the charity stripe.
L-E outrebounded Gilmer, 10-2 in the first period and also made seven of eight shots from the free throw line.
The Buckeyes trailed the Leopards, 15-3, after the first period.
“We’ve been talking to the girls about competing everyday,” Franklin said. “We want to have the mentality that we’re going to beat the person that’s in front of you.”
Gilmer defeated L-E in the junior varsity game, 36-33.
Bre Adams led the Leopards with 12 points.
The Liberty-Eylau boys dropped a 83-47 decision to Gilmer. Tracy Revels led the Leopards with 13 points.