This past Friday, the Sundown Roughettes hosted the #5 ranked Whiteface Lady Lopes for a district basketball matchup, with the Lady Lopes escaping Sundown with a 41-32 victory.
The Roughettes came ready to play and put up a great fight, but to no avail as the Lady Lopes would extend their win streak to 21 consecutive games.
“What a great atmosphere to play in,” Lady Lopes Head Basketball Coach Jason Blankenship said. “We got Sundown’s best effort last night; I thought they played a great game. Coach Neighbors is doing a fantas- tic job in his first season. Of fensively, possibly to coldest shooting night we’ve had in a while. One of the great qualities of this team is our ability to 'find a way' when things aren’t falling for us. I was proud of the poise our kids showed on the road in a rowdy environment.”
In as tough of an environment as any in 2A, they certainly did find a way and a big reason why was leading scorer Lainey Sanders with 15 points, making three three-pointers and going 4/5 from the free throw line.
Other scorers for the Lady Lopes included Emily Blankenship with 11 points, making 5/6 free throws, and Abi Soliz and Keyarah Castaneda both seven points, and Kambry Sanders with one point.
Following the win, the Lady Lopes improve to 25-2 overall and 6-0 in district play, while the Roughettes loss drops them to 17-11 overall and 4-2 in district play.
A loss is never the desired result, but Roughettes Head Basketball Coach Jared Neighbors walked away from the game with his head held high from his girls’ effort.
“Real proud of our effort, the girls executed the game plan to perfection and gave us a chance to win, can’t ask for anything else,” Coach Neighbors said. "Our girls play with tenacity and always compete with class, I’m glad I get to coach this team and am excited about the second round of district and how we will continue to improve like we keep doing every game.”
The Roughettes made an elite team look beatable, and they did that while only shooting 25% from the field as a team, which should give them confidence as they move forward in their district and postseason chase.
Standouts for the Roughettes included Camry Jourden with 10 points, making ¾ free throws, adding three rebounds and an assist, Kelbie Powell with eight points, making 4/4 free throws, adding three rebounds and two steals, and Kyndal Taggart with five points, 13 rebounds, four blocks and a steal.
Following the game, the Lady Lopes sit at the top of the 2A District 5 standings as the lone undefeated team, while the Roughettes are third in the standings.
Both teams will be in action for district matchups early in the week, with the Roughettes hosting Seagraves and the Lady Lopes heading to Morton.