The Odessa High girls basketball team built up an early advantage to defeat Permian in their first crosstown rivalry showdown of the 2021-22 season.
After taking control to start the game, the Lady Bronchos ran away to defeat the Lady Panthers 49-23 Tuesday at the Permian Fieldhouse.
“Our girls just kind of came out well-disciplined today, they were very focused,” Odessa High head coach Marcus Chapa said. “Obviously it’s a crosstown rivalry, but I felt like all week it was just another game for us.
“We were working on little things, concentrating on the details and it worked well for us.”
The Lady Bronchos showcased their physicality in the paint to force Permian into some contested shots throughout the game.
Nesha Stephens got the scoring started for Odessa High, quickly recording five points to put her team ahead in the opening minutes of the first quarter.
By the end of the first half, the Lady Bronchos had built up a 23-8 lead, with Stephens and Nevaeh arrasco combining for 19 points.
Permian would get some offense going in the second half, but it wouldn’t be enough as the Lady Panthers were outscored 26-15 through the third and fourth periods.
Bailey Wight was Permian’s leading scorer with five points, while Stephens paced Odessa High with 14.
Permian head coach Keshia Collins said her team needs to work on mental toughness moving forward in the campaign.
“This was a bright lights on type of situation, I’ve just got to do a better job of preparing them next time for this type of rivalry game so they can come out confident and ready,” Collins said.
Collins believes her team is taking steps in the right direction and she wants to see the Lady Panthers match physicality with the other teams they will see in District 2-6A.
Both Odessa High (9-9 overall, 2-1 in District 2-6A) and Permian (3-11, 1-2) will have a brief break before returning to action in tournaments in Monahans and Lubbock.
Chapa said his team will benefit from having some time off.
“The five days is good, we’ve all been waiting for the five days,” Chapa said. “I feel like they can go home, surround themselves with family and then come back and be focused.
“We’ll hit that tournament and be ready for Midland [Legacy].”
>> Follow Chris Amaya on Twitter at @OA_CAmaya
Odessa High 49, Permian 23
Tuesday, Permian Fieldhouse
Odessa High (9-9, 2-1)
Aaryn Lira 1 0-0 3, Donajah Watkins 0 2-2 2, Nesha Stephens 5 3-7 14, Kitzia Orozco 0 0-0 0, Valeriah Coy 0 0-0 0, Nevaeh Carrasco 6 0-0 13, Kylee Bartlett 0 0-0 0, Clarissa Rodriguez 0 0-0 0, Sam Lopez 0 0-0 0, Elizabeth Alvarado 1 0-0 2, Paige Byford 2 1-2 5, Deoshanay Henderson 5 0-1 10, Destiny Baltazar 0 0-0 0. Totals 20 6-12 49.
Permian (3-11, 1-2)
Caytlen Juarez 0 0-0 0, Micah Smith 0 2-2 2, Bailey Wight 2 1-3 5, Alondra Garcia 0 0-0 0, Kelsey Vasquez 0 0-0 0, Jamie Redic 1 0-0 2, Nadia Turner 0 0-0 0, Akiva Brown 1 0-0 2, Ejaelyn Miller 1 1-2 3, Chloe Mosley 2 0-0 4, Kimora Pierce 2 0-0 4, Dagmar Ortega 0 1-2 1, Sara Chavez 0 0-0 0. Totals 9 5-9 23.
Odessa High…………. 9.. 14 14 12 — 49
Permian……………….. 5…. 3 9 6 — 23
3-Point goals — Odessa High 3 (Lira 1, Stephens 1, Carrasco 1), Permian 0. Total fouls — Odessa High 11, Permian 15. Fouled out — None. Technical fouls — None.
