A little more than 24 hours after converting 11 of 21 three-pointers to reach the championship game of the TexasBank Holiday Classic, the Brownwood Lady Lions converted just 2 of 20 treys and were dealt a 47-34 defeat by Wellington Friday night at the Brownwood Coliseum.
Brownwood head coach Heather Hohertz was pleased with the team’s performance, but in a roller coaster ride offensively thus far this season the shots weren’t falling again Friday night.
“We fought hard and played with a lot of energy and effort to give ourselves a chance to win, but when they needed shots they stepped up and hit them and we were a little short on our shots,” Hohertz said. “We didn’t convert and execute the way we needed to to win the game tonight.”
The Lady Lions scored just 11 second-half points as, after trimming a 30-23 halftime deficit to 34-30 heading into the fourth period, Brownwood was unable to ignite the offense nor slow down Wellington’s Charley Wilbur, who scored 10 of her 12 points in the final quarter.
Presley Kane paced Wellington with 15 points while Brinley Waters added six, Leslie Orozco tacked on five, and Audrey Jones, Abby Garcia and Brylee Proffitt each contributed three points.
Brownwood was led by 12 points from Hannah Deen, eight from Trinity Roberts, five from Icess Hall, four each from Adyson Neel and Miranda Northcutt, and one point from Kimber Green, as the Lady Lions connected on just 32 percent (11 of 34) of their field goals.
“We had some open looks like we did last night and we just missed them,” Hohertz said. “Sometimes shots are going to fall and sometimes shots are not going to fall. When the three-pointers aren’t falling we have to find another way to execute, someone else has to step up. Usually we look to go down to the block but they did a good job of being physical with us and pushing us off the block and we just couldn’t convert. That’s an area where we still have to grow.”
Tied at 13 after one quarter, the Lady Lions were behind 25-23 with 38 seconds left in the first half on a bucket by Neel, but Wellington snatched the momentum with five quick points.
The Lady Lions defense then flustered Wellington in the third period, which allowed Brownwood to rally thanks to two points each from Deen, Roberts and Neel, and Green’s free throw.
Brownwood then witnessed Wellington notch the first five points of the fourth quarter in just 1:34, as the Lady Lions faced a 39-30 hole. Deen scored 21 seconds later, but Wellington’s Wilbur answered with a three-pointer at the 5:34 mark for the first double-digit lead, 42-32, and the gap gradually widened.
Despite the loss, Hohertz was pleased with the continued development of her squad.
“We matured this weekend and found when we’re down we can fight back,” Hohertz said. “I think we’re close and it’s been fun to see because they’re fun to coach and they’re good teammates. They cheer each other on, they’re coachable and they know their roles and play those roles well.”
The Lady Lions (15-8) visit Marble Falls at noon Tuesday in their final game before opening District 6-4A action on Friday against reigning state qualifier Glen Rose.
