Faith Academy girls finish 2-2 against tough tournament lineup
JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF
LORENA — The Faith Academy girls basketball team posted a 2-2 record at the Vicki Mitchell-Lauren Timmons Lorena Classic on Dec. 4 and 6.
The Lady Flames defeated Waco High 76-56 and Hearne 63-31 on Dec. 4 but lost to Waco Robinson 60-50 and Austin High 57-34.
Lady Flames head coach Jerry English said Waco High gave his players the challenge he wanted: a full-court defensive press for 32 minutes and long-range shooting.
Ninety seconds into the contest, the Lady Lions connected on three 3-pointers. Faith led 18-13 after the first quarter and 34-30 at the half.
By the end of the third quarter, the Lady Flames’ conditioning took over, which led to a 52-42 advantage.
“They ran a full-court man as aggressive as you can play,” English said. “We ran the press break well. We met every challenge they had.”
Faith continued the hot shooting against Hearne, rolling to a 22-5 lead after the first quarter that went to 42-9 at the half.
English said the starters played three minutes of the third period, and the reserves took over the rest of the way.
But Robinson and Austin High gave different challenges, he said.
Both opponents came out with a full-court defense and rotated players in every four minutes.
He noted the Lady Flames played well against Robinson. Down by two in the final two minutes, Faith missed a shot on an offensive rebound and gave up a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession.
“The whole game changed,” he said.
Then, Robinson made six free throws to ice the game.
Austin High brought a physical battle from the start. The Maroons led 17-12 after the first period then outscored Faith 35-13 in the next two quarters.
“(They) had good quickness and size,” English said. “The chances of us winning the tournament were minuscule. We wanted a learning experience. I think we got it. I’m anxious now to see how we respond.”
jfierro@thepicayune.com
AGAINST WACO HIGH: Points – Jayla Reeves 20, Taylor Denton 15, Sierra Brinkley 6, Allison Metzger 6, Sedona Prince 10, Hannah Cozby 19; rebounds – Reeves 2, Denton 4, Brinkley 3, Metzger 5, Prince 16, Alisha Williams 2, Cozby 7; assists – Reeves 6, Denton 6, Brinkley 3, Metzger 2, A. Williams 2, Cozby 2; steals – Reeves 3, Denton 4, Metzger 1, Cozby 1; blocks – Prince 7, Cozby 2.
AGAINST HEARNE: Points – Reeves 8, Denton 2, Brinkley 7, Metzger 11, Sarah Williams 8, Prince 15, A. Williams 4, Cozby 8; rebounds – Reeves 4, Denton 4, Brinkley 4, Metzger 10, S. Williams 5, Susanna Case 5, Prince 13, A. Williams 7, Cozby 3; assists – Reeves 5, Denton 6, Brinkley 2, Metzger 2, S. Williams 1, Prince 1, A. Williams 1; steals – Reeves 5, Denton 3, Brinkley 2, Metzger 1, Prince 1, A. Williams 2, Ashlyn Hanish 1, Cozby 2
AGAINST AUSTIN HIGH: Points – Denton 5, Brinkley 6, Metzger 10, Prince 5, A. Williams 1, Cozby 7; assists – Reeves 1, Denton 2, S. Williams 1, A. Williams 1, Marks 1; rebounds – Reeves 2, Deont 3, Brinkley 3, Metzger 5, Case 1, Prince 3, A. Williams 3, Cozby 8; steals – Reeves 2, Denton 3, Metzger 1; blocks – Prince 2, Cozby 2
AGAINST ROBINSON: Points – Reeves 21, Denton 8, Brinkley 2, Prince 9, Cozby 10; assists – Reeves 4, Denton 5, Brinkley 2, Prince 1, A. Williams 1, Cozby 1; rebounds – Reeves 2, Denton 5, Brinkley 2, Metzger 4, Prince 11, A. Williams 6, Cozby 5; steals – Reeves 3, Denton 1, Metzger 2, Prince 1, Cozby 1; blocks – Prince 5, Cozby 1
RECORDS: Faith is 13-3 overall
UP NEXT: 6:15 p.m. Dec. 9, Faith at Round Rock Christian, 301 N. Lakecreek Drive in Round Rock