Lady Mustangs go 6-1 in eight days
MARBLE FALLS — The Marble Falls High School girls basketball team posted a 6-1 record over a seven-game stretch during which the Lady Mustangs only had one practice and played two contests in one day. Marble Falls’ current win streak is three straight, which matched its accomplishment the previous week.
The Lady Mustangs’ latest win was against Llano 53-23 on Nov. 20 during which Marble Falls dominated on both sides of the court. That allowed head coach Christ Jost to substitute freely.
PHOTO: Marble Falls High School junior forward Haley Stephens scores two of her 14 points against Llano on Nov. 20. Courtesy photos
Still, the point margin could have been more, but the Lady Mustangs missed several lay-ups and free throws.
"I told the girls if we make lay-ups and free throws along with our defense, we’ll beat just about anybody," Jost said.
A day earlier, the Lady Mustangs defeated Killeen 57-45 in a game led by junior guard Sarah Stripling’s 33 points, a new career high.
Marble Falls led throughout the game and withstood a furious Lady Roos’ rally in the fourth quarter during which the Lady Mustangs cradled a four-point lead with 5 minutes and 18 seconds left in the contest.
That’s when Marble Falls junior forward Haley Stephens took over. She assisted junior post Teagan Hall with a bucket, capped a fast-break pass from junior guard Blanca Fonseca with a score, took a pass from Stripling for another basket and drove to the hoop for one more. That helped push Marble Falls’ lead back to 10 with 2:16 left.
Jost said the Lady Mustangs limited their mistakes and unforced errors, which led to the win.
"Everybody knew they were going to make a run," he said. "We kind of regrouped and made some plays, made free throws and made defensive stops."
Stripling and Stephens each said they enjoyed playing in the contest and noted the victory was the result of good teamwork.
Killeen post Jasmine Goodwine, who will attend Rice University in Houston on a basketball scholarship, was limited to 13 points.
MARBLE FALLS VS. LLANO: Marble Falls points — Sarah Stripling 17, Haley Stephens 14, Blanca Fonseca and Teagan Hall 8 each, Katy Bartels, Reann Hall and Kaitlyn Naumann 2 each. Llano points — Cierra Jordan 13, Jessica Wunderlich 5, Mary Cinek and Claire Williams 5 each and Cierra Caffey 1.
AGAINST KILLEEN: Points — Sarah Stripling 33, Teagan Hall 9, Haley Stephens 7, Blanca Fonseca and Katy Bartels 3 each, Reann Hall 2
RECORDS: Marble Falls is 6-3.
UP NEXT: Marble Falls vs. Del Valle, 7 p.m. Nov. 27 at Max Copeland Gym, 2101 Mustang Drive in Marble Falls. The varsity squad will honor the players’ parents.