Aggressive plays on both sides of the floor characterized the Odessa High girls basketball team’s District 2-6A showdown against San Angelo Central Friday at the OHS Fieldhouse.
Both teams fought to jump ahead through the first half, but a scoring surge in the fourth quarter helped the Lady Cats come away with a 41-29 victory.
“Their defense is just an aggressive defense, they were packing the paint and helping on drives,” Odessa High girls coach Marcus Chapa said. “Our shooting percentages from the outside weren’t very well, we’re used to shooting 40% plus and obviously we didn’t get there tonight.
“That’s a big factor in the game.”
The Lady Bronchos had a tough time scoring in the first quarter, seeing many of their possessions end abruptly because of San Angelo Central’s aggressive paint defense.
Odessa High was forced to look toward the perimeter for shooting opportunities for much of the first half.
San Angelo Central had control of the game’s pace through a majority of the first half and started finding ways to slip past the Odessa High defense in the second quarter.
The Lady Bronchos were held to five points scored in the first half, while the Lady Cats scored six in the second quarter alone.
All five of Odessa High’s points in the first half came from the free throw line, where they converted five of 12 attempts.
Nesha Stephens and Neveah Carrasco gave the Lady Bronchos a much-needed energy boost with two 3-pointers early in the third quarter.
Those shots helped Odessa High outscore the Lady Cats 8-2 to tie the game up and momentarily swing things in favor of the Lady Bronchos.
San Angelo Central regained its scoring rhythm late in the third period with two consecutive 3-pointers from Deandra Allen.
The Lady Cats ultimately outscored Odessa High 18-13 in the fourth quarter to close out the victory.
After the halftime break, Chapa said his team focused on creating isolation situations with pick and rolls to get to the free throw line.
He feels that his team has improved from the last time it went up against San Angelo Central.
When the Lady Bronchos and Lady Cats faced off on Dec. 17, San Angelo Central came away with a 43-13 victory.
“There’s pros and cons, but we look at the good side as well,” Chapa said. “We’re improving as a ball club, overall it is a loss but it’s a win in our column that we know that we’re achieving greatness.”
Odessa High (15-13 overall, 4-4 district) will host crosstown rival Permian at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the OHS Fieldhouse.
>> Follow Chris Amaya on Twitter at @OA_CAmaya
San Angelo Central 41, Odessa High 29
Friday, OHS Fieldhouse
SAN ANGELO CENTRAL (19-11, 5-3)
Alyssa Barron 1 2-2 4, Jewels Perez 1 0-3 2, Peyton Mayberry 2 1-2 5, Delaney Hester 4 0-1 8, Nevaeh Hearne 2 2-2 4, Makayla Salazar 0 0-0 0, Anna Wierzoweicki 0 0-0 0, Sydnee Moore 0 0-0 0, Deandra Allen 4 1-2 12, Layla Young 2 2-3 6. Totals 15 8-15 41.
ODESSA HIGH (15-13, 4-4)
Aaryn Lira 0 0-0 0, Donajah Watkins 1 0-2 3, Nesha Stephens 3 6-11 13, Kitzia Orozco 0 0-0 0, Valeriah Coy 0 0-0 0, Neveah Carrasco 1 0-0 3, Mariah Leyva 0 0-0 0, Kylee Bartlett 0 0-0 0, Sam Lopez 0 0-0 0, Elizabeth Alvarado 0 0-0 0, Paige Byford 3 0-0 7, Deoshanay Henderson 0 3-6 3, Destiny Baltazar 0 0-0 0. Totals 8 9-19 29.
San Angelo Central… 5…. 6 12 18 — 41
Odessa High…………. 1…. 4 11 13 — 29
3-Point goals — San Angelo Central 3 (Allen 3), Odessa High 4 (Watkins 1, Stephens 1, Carrasco 1, Byford 1). Total fouls — San Angelo Central 14, Odessa High 17. Fouled out — None. Technical fouls — None.
