LaPoynor Lady Flyers Headed to State Semifinal
(Post sponsored by Tinsley Title, Holt Wrecker, R&R lawn specialists, Gibson Pharmacy.)
By Michael V. Hannigan
SLOCUM -- The Lady Flyers are in the Final Four.
LaPoynor hit 70 percent from the free throw line in the fourth quarter (14 of 20) to outlast the Leon Lady Cougars Friday night, 65-60, and earn a berth in the Class 2A, Division 1, State Semifinal next week.
"We only had one field goal in the fourth quarter. We shot a ton of free throws and we made enough to pull it out," said LaPoynor Coach Chris Jost.
Although they didn't score much in the second half, the Lady Flyers made up for it with their best first half of the playoffs. With Leon falling back into a tough 2-3 zone, LaPoynor patiently passed the ball around and over the zone to find the open shot.
"We worked on being patient. We put up 40 points in that first half by being patient and executing," said Coach Jost. "They changed it up on us a little bit (in the second half) and it took us a minute to adjust to that."
Putting the ball in the bucket was only part of the equation. Leon came in on a 15-game win streak and a red-hot player in junior guard Averi Futrell. The Lady Flyers brought out a Box and 1 strategy against her at times throughout the game with Savannah Reynolds tracking Futrell all over the court, but Leon was still able to hit some shots.
"They have shooters. We knew coming in that almost every kid on the floor can hit a shot," said Coach Jost.
LaPoynor enjoyed a huge rebounding advantage with Brooklyn Bristow dominating in the paint and the Lady Flyer guards crashing the offensive boards.
"That makes all the difference when you are getting on the boards and getting second chances and only giving them one chance," said Coach Jost.
LaPoynor spread the scoring around Friday night with Savannah Reynolds leading the Lady Flyers with 21 points, including 8-of-12 from the line in the fourth quarter. Bre Howard had 18 points, including four three-pointers, and Kendall Garcia had 15. Brooklyn Bristow added 7 points, and Maddie Owens and Adriana Estrada each had 2.
Averi Futrell led the Lady Cougars with 25 points.
Next up for the Lady Flyers is No. 14-ranked San Saba in the State Semifinal. The game is scheduled for Tuesday, but time and location hasn't been announced yet.
