Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Gatesville jumped out to a 17-5 first quarter lead, then pitched a third quarter shutout on their way to a 52-25 season-opening win over McGregor on Nov. 7.
It was the very definition of a total team effort as eight different Lady Hornets scored, and every player in uniform contributed points, a rebound, or an assist.
Emma Pollard and Alanda Wimberley who had 11 and 10 points, respectively, led the team in scoring. Wimberley had six rebounds while Pollard had five while Taylor Coward led the team with seven boards.
Paige Sentillas chipped in five assists while also scoring eight points, and Yasmin Saunders had four assists to go along with four rebounds and four points.
The first period was a clinic in interior basketball as Gatesville made 8-of-9 shots in the paint in the quarter. After missing their first field goal attempt of the game, they made their next eight two-point attempts of the quarter – all of which came inside the paint and seven of which came via an assist.
A layup from Wimberley pushed the lead to 21-5 early in the second quarter. Their biggest lead of the quarter came when Saunders found Pollard for a fast break layup and a 25-7 lead.
In the third quarter, Gatesville held McGregor scoreless as the Lady Bulldogs missed on all six of their field goal attempts and four free throw attempts. Coward and Pollard scored all nine Gatesville points in the quarter with Coward making a pair of layups and Pollard picking up her points on a layup and three free throws. Gatesville led 37-14 at the end of three quarters.
For the game, Gatesville scored 36 points in the paint and outrebounded McGregor 41-31. They had 17 assists in the game and picked up 17 steals en route to forcing 32 turnovers.
The Lady Hornets host San Saba on Nov. 11.
