Lady Flames are never challenged in victory

The Lady Flames ensured a happy Thanksgiving by pounding Fredericksburg Heritage, 63-18, to go 8-3 on the season.

The Lady Flames scored the first 12 points of the game thanks to a Katie Jung layup, a Shiloh Reaves putback, two Brooke Field free throws and a putback and two Kendra Field free throws. 

Heritage hit a three at the 3:24 mark to end the run, but the Lady Flames weren’t done. 

Kendra Field hit a shot from the free-throw line, while Brooke Field added a putback. Deanna Hoover found Kendra Field for a long jumper on the right side on a throw-in. Kendra Field hit a long jumper from the right corner, while Brittany Scott scored on a throw-in for a 23-3 lead. 

The highlight for Heritage was a half-court shot by Lily Ramsey to end the first half.

Faith outscored Heritage, 16-6, in the second period, 12-4 in the third and 15-5 in the fourth. 

Reserves Taylor Vaughn, Breigh Gray, Scott and Victoria Roberts took over with about six minutes left in the contest when Faith led, 48-13. 

“I’m stunned at how young we are and inexperienced,” head coach Jerry English said. “Six girls have not more than 20 games.”

Kendra Field led Faith with 18 points, while Brooke Field added eight and Shiloh Reaves, Gray and Scott dropped in six each.

English gave his reserves credit for their effort and willingness to work, noting they played well against Heritage.

“Their abilities are at the level they need to be playing,” he said. 

His reserves still need more time in order to contribute more than minutes against foes such as Fredericksburg and Bandera high schools, the coach said. And he believes the learning curve is not as much he thought.

“Our goal is to have eight or nine who can contribute in high-intensity games,” he said. “This has really been a pleasant surprise.”

Posts Brooke Field, a freshman, and Gray, an eighth-grader, have been counted on to provide muscle in the paint, score points and rebound. English said he is happy with their production and is surprised by how well they have played because of their lack of varsity experience.

“(Gray) is a year ahead,” he said. “They’re mature. That’s the type of kids we have right now. I hope we get better and better with it.”

Kendra Field said she has confidence in her teammates, particularly Brooke Field, to score in the lane and doesn’t mind penetrating to the basket or shooting a three-pointer. 

She said the players were happy to get the win but believes she and her teammates are capable of more.

“We should come out a little more intense,” she said. 

The schedule does not get easier, the junior point said, so the aim is to be more consistent and be ready for each opponent. 

Brooke Field agreed.

“We can step up when we need to and are going to,” she said. 

Because of the torn anterior cruciate ligament injury to Jordan Gray, which will sideline her for the entire season, the freshman post is playing a larger role.

“I really like it,” she said. “That’s what I was working on before Jordan was injured.”