Lady Mustangs eager to play in tournament

The Lady Mustangs will meet Killeen Shoemaker in the 2008 Dr Pepper Chisholm Trail Classic at Belton and Temple 1 p.m. today at Belton High School.

“I’m excited to start playing,” head coach Stephanie Gamble said. 

Marble Falls is one of 32 teams and is guaranteed four games, Gamble said. 

“They do try to get some of the best schools around,” she said. “We’re thankful we’re able to be a part of it.”

In the second round of tournament play, the Lady Mustangs will meet either Pflugerville Connally or San Antonio Sam Houston.

Marble Falls has a three-game winning streak over Connally dating back to the Class 4A Region IV final in 2007 and a season sweep of the Lady Cougars in district play last season.

The Lady Mustangs eliminated Sam Houston from the 2007 playoffs on their way to the state tournament. 

Other participants include Austin Westlake, fellow District 25-4A members Hutto and Killeen High, Kerrville Tivy and Round Rock. 

A Gamble-coached team means emphasis on blocking out and playing defense. She is eager to see the players compete against teams committed to performing at a high level, she said. 

“Right now defense is the most important part,” she said. “We have to handle that.” 

To help prepare the Lady Mustangs even more, Gamble said some of the boys junior varsity players have practiced with them.

The team is led by senior guards Katy Cooke, Diana Fonseca and Katie Mosher, senior post Amanda Gray and junior post Lindsay Ansley. 

Gamble said the Lady Mustangs are eager to play. 

“We’re ready to go up against other people,” she said. “It’s good to go up against someone else bigger and more athletic and quicker.”

The Lady Mustangs have averaged 30 wins the last three seasons and advanced to at least the regional quarterfinals. In the last two years, Marble Falls has played in the regional finals and won the regional tournament to advance to the state tournament in 2007.