Rangers no match for Lady Flames

AUSTIN — The Faith Academy girls basketball team added to its winning streak by beating the Texas School of the Deaf, 69-11, Nov. 17. 

The win means the Lady Flames are 4-2 for the season.

TSD featured a tall, athletic player, but did not have enough athletes with natural ability to challenge Faith, head coach Jerry English said.

“We could have had a thousand turnovers, and it could have gotten ugly,” he said. “We used this as another growing session for us.”

Faith took a 23-3 lead in the first period and never looked back. 

He hoped his players would use what they learned and apply those lessons to the rest of the season. 

Kendra Field led all scorers with 29 points, followed by younger sister Brooke Field with 14, Shiloh Reaves added nine, Deanna Hoover and Brittany Scott each scored four, Katie Jung and Taylor Vaughn had three, Laura Lykken added two and Taylor Castleberry scored on a free throw.

“All thought it was not a difficult situation,” the coach said. “Subs were able to play good, quality minutes.”

Junior point guard Kendra Field scored on drives to the basket and on free throws.

“On Saturday, I had a harsh talk with Kendra about not attacking the basket,” the Flames skipper said. “We need her to get to the free-throw line 15 times a game.”

She would give a fake and take two dribbles then pull up for a jumper. But he wanted her to penetrate to the basket, which she is doing now.

English said he was pleased with the point guard’s distribution of the ball and her willingness to trust her teammates to finish plays.

“There is a trust factor that starts in a young team,” he said. Hers were true baby steps. She was afraid to throw the long pass and dish to the younger posts. But she’s starting to do that. I do think Kendra is becoming a floor leader and a leader for us in the locker room and on the bus.”

The backside of the matchup zone is a concern for English, he said, because reserves are not taller than 5 feet 4 inches and they could have to rebound against players who are taller.

But he believes this contest had more positives because coaches were able to substitute at will and give athletes playing time. 

Brooke Field pulled down 11 rebounds, while Kendra Field, Hoover and Reaves each had four and Jung grabbed three.

“We broke the ball well most of the game,” English said. “Our defense was able to shut down their best player and limit their team to one shot.”

jfierro@thepicayune.com

Courtesy photo