WINTERS – The No. 8 May Lady Tigers were denied a trip to the Region II-A girls basketball semifinals as the No. 13 Westbrook Lady Wildcats secured a 45-33 Wednesday in third round playoff action.
The three-point struggles for May (22-5) continued as the Lady Tigers sank just one of 13 treys, with the only make occurring with two seconds left in the third quarter.
“The last two games we have not shot the three well, and it showed tonight also,” said May head coach Derek Stevens. “I knew they’d have a little size on us, I knew that was going to be a problem, and I knew they were aggressive on the boards, both ends. Those were the main differences in this game tonight.”
Also, May’s Roberta Robinette picked up her fourth foul just 56 seconds into the second half, with May trailing by just four points. Westbrook (24-4) slowly began to distance itself from May with Robinette on the bench the remainder of the third quarter.
“She’s got one gear,” Stevens said of Robinette. “I say take the ‘L’ every now and then and what I mean is some possessions you know you’re out of position and you have to take the ‘L’ and not try and block a shot from behind, or rely on your help sometimes. She was wanting to give it her all and she maybe lost count of fouls and that’s my fault for not preaching it more. She was trying to give it all she had.”
Robinette was whistled for a charge with 18 seconds left in the first half, her third foul, with May down 19-15. Then, at the 7:04 mark of the third quarter, Robinette was called for a defensive foul before either team scored a second-half point.
Westbrook doubled its advantage to 33-25 by the end of the third quarter, and continued to expand on the lead in the fourth period.
Reese Chambers paced the Lady Tigers with 17 points followed by Robinette with 10, Korlei King with four, and Brianna Steele and Melanie Murphree with one point each.
Westbrook was sparked by Bailey Connell with 17 points, Shea Payne with 14 and Reagan Hale with 10 points.
Reflecting on the season, Stevens said, “This group of seniors was my first when I came in. I had them from seventh grade, JV all the way up. This group will always hold a special place in my heart. I’m super proud of them, I love them like they’re my daughters. They are ready to work every day and they not only lead on the court but they lead off the court. I’m super proud to be called their coach.”
Westbrook (23-4) will face No. 4 Veribest (24-1) in the regional semifinals.
