Playoff-bound Lady Lions shake off slow start, thump Graham, 46-23

January 31, 2025 at 7:40 pm Derrick Stuckly

Hannah Deen (5) scored a team-high 14 points for Brownwood (23-10, 5-4), which hosts Brock (21-9, 6-3) at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday in the regular season finale

GRAHAM – The playoff-bound Brownwood Lady Lions overcame a sluggish start and dominated the final three quarters en route to a 46-23 road victory over the Graham Lady Blues Friday night.

The Lady Lions (23-10, 5-4) trailed District 6-4A rival Graham (11-20, 1-8) by an 8-7 count after one quarter, but held the Lady Blues scoreless in the second period on the way to a 19-8 halftime advantage. Through three periods, Brownwood’s edge stood at 34-13.

“We started the game really flat, we always struggle on the trip here, but I thought we really pushed it open in the second quarter,” said Lady Lions head coach Heather Hohertz. “We moved from our man defense, because we really weren’t moving very well, to our 2-3 zone and I really thought that was the difference in the game. They weren’t sure of our rotations and they were confused with what they were doing offensively, and we played some gaps and made them take some low percentage shots. That helped us get out in transition and break open the game.”

Brownwood shot 29 percent (15 of 51) from the floor, 18 percent (4 of 22) on three-pointers, and 75 percent (12 of 16) at the free throw line. The Lady Lions also yanked down 27 rebounds, recorded 14 steals, and committed just 13 turnovers.

Hannah Deen poured in a team-high 14 points for Brownwood, trailed by nine each from Trinity Roberts and Nylah Hall, seven from Icess Hall, three from Jade Morin, and two points apiece from Kate Tindol and Miranda Northcutt.

Graham received 11 points from Briley Randall and seven points from Addyson Weaver.

The Lady Lions host Brock (21-9, 6-3), which is coming off a Friday loss to district champion Glen Rose (31-2, 9-0), at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday in the regular season finale. A Brownwood win over Brock, and a Stephenville (17-15, 6-3) loss to Glen Rose Tuesday, would result in a three-way tie for second place in the final 6-4A standings.

Glen Rose will be the No. 1 playoff seed from District 6 in 4A Division II and Brock will be the No. 2 seed regardless of Tuesday’s results, while the seeding for the 4A Division I playoffs between Brownwood and Stephenville will be determined Tuesday, or with a seeding game, if needed.

“The girls are motivated, they know what’s at stake, and they’ll be ready to play,” Hohertz said.