Marble Falls girls defense too much for Dripping Springs; boys lose to Tigers

JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF

MARBLE FALLS — A short meeting between seniors Blanca Fonseca, Haley Stephens and Sarah Stripling led to big results for the Marble Falls High School girls basketball team.

The Lady Mustangs stomped Dripping Springs 54-29 on Jan. 14 to split the season series.

Before the contest began, Stripling said she huddled with Fonseca and Stephens, and they made a decision, she said.

“There was no way we were going to lose,” she said. “The difference was better defense. We knew who the shooters were.”

After trailing 6-2 early in the first period, the Lady Mustangs’ defense led to some high-scoring opportunities. Stripling hit back-to-back baskets and a free throw then found Fonseca on a backdoor cut for a 10-6 lead.

Marble Falls continued to apply the defensive pressure. In fact, the Lady Tigers didn’t score for eight minutes. Meanwhile, the Lady Mustangs built a 16-7 lead.

Dripping Springs trailed by as little as seven points until the final point margin.

Marble Falls head coach Chris Jost said his athletes played their best defensive contest of the season.

“Our full-court press was much more disruptive,” he said. “We played harder and shot the ball better. That fed into our defensive energy.”

Stripling and Fonseca each recorded about six steals that led to baskets on the other end.

The Lady Mustangs also were advantageous at the free-throw line, making 16 of 20.

Stripling complimented Fonseca’s play, noting she handled and distributed the ball well and was able to get several steals.

“Blanca played very well,” she said. “She sets the tone for defense.”

jfierro@thepicayune.com

ON OFFENSE: points – Sarah Stripling 24, Blanca Fonseca 12, Reann Hall 6, Haley Stephens 4, Emily Klingsporn 3, Molly Myrick 3, Teagan Hall 2

RECORDS: Marble Falls is 14-12 overall and 2-5 in District 25-4A; Dripping Springs is 12-11 overall and 1-6 in district.

SUBVARSITY RESULTS: Dripping Springs junior varsity won 53-31. The Lady Tigers JV team is coached by former Marble Falls standout Ashley Laughlin, who graduated in 2004. She has guided Dripping Springs to 16 wins so far this season. Dripping Springs freshmen won 26-12.

UP NEXT: 7 p.m. Jan. 17, Marble Falls at Leander, 3301 S. Bagdad Road in Leander

DISTRICT 25-4A STANDINGS:

Rouse, 7-0

Vista Ridge, 5-2

Leander, 4-2

Cedar Park, 4-3

Marble Falls, 2-5

Dripping Springs, 1-6

Vandegrift, 0-7

Dripping Springs 85, Marble Falls 56

DRIPPING SPRINGS — The Marble Falls High School boys basketball team lost 85-56 to Dripping Springs on Jan. 14.

The Tigers took control from the beginning, holding an 18-10 advantage at the end of the opening period. That went to 46-26 by halftime.

The Mustangs cut the deficit to 10 points in the third quarter, but Dripping Springs responded. By the end of the period, the Tigers held a 67-45 advantage.

“We couldn’t score,” Marble Falls head coach Neil Laminack said. “They’re just really long at every position. You realize they’re so good defensively because they’re so long.”

Most of the Tigers stood at least 6 feet or taller, he said.

“And they could shoot it on every level.”

Dripping Springs made 24 two-pointers, six 3-pointers and was 19 of 31 from the foul line. Marble Falls scored 14 two-pointers, three 3-pointers and was 14 of 19 from the free-throw line.

ON OFFENSE: points –  Zuri Buchanan 21, Danny Rivara 10, Aidin Parnell 9, J.T. Watson 8, Travis Walker 5, Jordan Wright 3

RECORDS: Marble Falls is 10-16 overall and 0-5 in District 25-4A play; Dripping Springs is 12-6 overall and 4-1 in district.

UP NEXT: 7 p.m. Jan. 17, Marble Falls vs. Leander at Max Copeland Gym, 2101 Mustang Drive in Marble Falls