It has been 25 years since the Lady Cubs basketball program has been to the Region I-3A Semifinals and last nights 57-55 win over Childress in the Regional Quarterfinals punched their ticket to that game. After a hard fought game against #6 Idalou last week, the #5 Lady Cubs would spend some major downtime awaiting the game against Childress. “I had them shooting all week, in the gym, practicing. We knew that we were going to have to wait, but the girls kept on practicing getting better.” Coach Wyatt said.
Last nights quarterfinal game was a tough fought one for the Lady Cubs. Childress who was the third seed out of District 2-3A which includes #1 Shallowater and #6 Idalou put up a fight against Brownfield bringing the game right down to the end. It wasn’t until the 6:30 mark in the 1st before anyone scored which was Childress with a 2 point jump shot. The ball got turned over by both teams and eventually Deja Johnson got fouled under the basket and put one in from the foul line. The Lady Cubs would force a turnover and brought the ball down court where Tia Johnson got fouled. Of course that allowed her to go to the foul line and get 2 points. As both defenses worked for more than a minute Deja was able to get a shot in, Lady Cubs now led 5-2. However Childress dropped a 3 pointer tying the game 5-5 with 3:30 left in the 1st. But it didn’t take long for Lindsey Herrera to match that 3 pointer with one of her own. #15 for Childress got fouled on a jump shot and went to the line only dropping 1 point. #23 for Childress would also go to the foul line back to back making all 4 free throws. The Lady Cubs got possession and drove down the court where several shots were missed, but Tia was able to get 2 points from a put-back tying the score again 10-10. The lady Cubs would have the last points in the 1st quarter with a Bri Franco layup. Brownfield led the 1st quarter 12-10.
The 2nd quarter was not so kind to the Lady Cubs as they were outscored 21-17. Childress struck first with 2 points, but then Ashley Ramirez busted a 3 pointer. The Lady Cubs forced another turnover and Tia had a 2 point jump shot and now led 17-12. That all changed pretty quick when Childress got the possession and put a 3 pointer in the bucket, then Brownfield turned the ball over three times in a row with Childress taking advantage as they ended up going on an 11-0 run even after a timeout was called by Coach Wyatt. Childress would lead 23-17 at the 4:05 mark. Much like Childress, the Lady Cubs forced three turnovers in row and capitalized on those by going on a 6-0 run tying the game again 23-23. Childress would push the ball to their side of the court and drop 2 points. As Brownfield got possession again, Dabria Blackwell would get fouled on a jump shot, but only got 1 point in. Again Childress took possession and got sent to the foul line where #23 put both in the bucket and leading 27-24. With 1:07 left in the half, Gabi Fields would get her 5th points of the night by way of a 3 pointer, again tying the game 27-27. Childress drove the ball down and scored another 2 points, and the Lady Cubs turned the ball over and would foul #23, who placed both shots in the basket with Cjildress now leading 31-27. However, Childress’ defense broke down and Fields was able to get a nice 2 point jump shot and Childress led 31-29 at the half.
The 3rd quarter started out rocky for the Lady Cubs as Childress went on a slow 4-0 run where they ran a lot of time off the clock. The Lady Cubs finally got the ball and Deja was found underneath the goal and was sent to the line where she dropped 1 point. The Lady Cubs were able rebound from a missed shot from Childress and this set up a huge 3 point from Blackwell. However #23 from Childress would get fouled on a layup getting 2 points and then going to the line to make the three point play the old fashion way. After that the Lady Cubs would regain possession and go on a much needed 8-0 and lead for about minute 40-38. Childress got the ball and tied the game up at 40-40 to end the 3rd quarter.
The 4th quarter was another close one. Fields got fouled and placed 1 point in the bucket. Childress would get ahead on their next possession by busting a 3 pointer. Fields then went back to back layup with baskets earning the Lady Cubs four more points. Childress answered back with a jump shot and 2 points. Fields would be fouled and put 2 points on the board from the charity stripe. Brownfield would force a turnover and Field would get 3 more points on the board from downtown. #12 from Childress would answer with a 3 pointer. Childress again made Brownfield turn the ball over with #23 making a layup and getting fouled. She would make the free-throw and Childress would lead 51-50. The Lady Cubs took over and at the 3:20 mark Fields busted another 3 pointer. Childress’ #23 took the foul with her 2 point layup, however this time she did not make the extra shot. The game was tied 53-53. Brownfield took possession and got the ball down the court where Tia would get fouled. She got 1 point from the line. Lady Cubs led 54-53 with 1:31 left in the game. At the 1:03 mark Fields would be fouled and placed 1 point in the bucket and stretched the lead 55-53. Soon after when Childress got possession, Deja would foul and fouled out of the game. Childress gained an extra point from the line. Next possession, Blackwell got fouled and earned 2 more points from stripe. Lady Cub led 57-54. Childress would take over, however Fields would steel the ball but did not take control, and both teams fought for the ball on the grounds. One of the officials gave the ball back to Childress with 19 seconds left. Childress would take 17 seconds off the clock to try to set up a basket, but #4 would be fouled. She got the first free-throw, but missed the second one and Brownfield rebounded. Coach Wyatt took a timeout with 2 seconds left in the game. Brownfield would inbound the pass and time expired with the Lady Cubs winning 57-55.
Coach Wyatt explained after halftime, she made the adjustment to zone defense to take #23 out of contention and it seemed to work. “We practice zone… but we usually play man. The girls like man but we had to change it tonight.” Coach Wyatt said. Gabi Fields led the team in scoring and the only player in double digits with 27 points. Dabria Blackwell and Tia Johnson both had 7 points each, Deja Johnson had 6 points, Ashley Ramirez with 5 points, Lindsey Herrera with 3 points and rounding out the scorers was Bri Franco with 2 points.
The #5 Lady Cubs will travel to Tuscola Texas- Jim Ned High School tomorrow Feb. 27, 2021 to take on the #16 Peaster Lady Greyhounds in the Region I-3A Semi-finals. Tipoff is at 1 p.m.