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Lady Panthers on tilt, but is West on rise
By Kevin Hageland, Staff Writer
Watch VideoFor anyone that didn’t know how important tonight’s game between Plano East and Plano West was, Tuesday night was a clear indication.
The Lady Wolves had just finished pounding Richardson by 44 points when word got out that Lake Highlands was ahead of East at halftime by 12 points. West players then scrambled in an attempt to get an update on the game.
The final score was not available by the time the Lady Wolves got on the bus, but by the time the team returned to campus it was in a tie for the top spot in District 9-5A as the Lady Panthers were defeated by the Lady Wildcats, 60-57.
It has been more than a month since the first East-West clash, which the Lady Panthers won, 44-40, on Dec. 21. During that span, West has gone 7-2, winning its last six games. East, which is 7-3 over the last month, had won five straight before losing to Lake Highlands on Tuesday.
“We had some confidence after the first East game because they were supposed to be the best team in the district,” said Don Patterson, West head coach. “And we had a shot to beat them.”
West was leading the last game, which was at East, 38-35, going into the fourth quarter, but couldn’t manage a field goal during the final eight minutes. The team’s only two points came on free throws.
The Lady Wolves have been waiting for a rematch ever since, but Patterson cautioned them against looking ahead.
“I pointed out that the East rematch would only be a big game if we did what we are supposed to do,” he said. “Our girls are excited and that’s always good heading into a big game. Plus, you always feel better when you get to play at home.”
East will undoubtedly look to use a similar defensive strategy to last month’s game when the high West scorers, sophomore Jacqueline Jeffcoat and junior Jessica Fromberg, had only seven points a piece.
“We’ll get down and dirty,” Mingilton said. “We’re just looking to shut down the outside shooting, then if they have the inside play we’ll work with where they’re going.
“If they want to post up and put it inside, we’re just going to body up on the post, grab those boards, and if they want to bring it out to the shooters, we’re going to have the defense there.”
Some of West’s struggles down the stretch in the first meeting may have been mental, not physical though, as the team gets large contributions from a handful of previously untested sophomores and juniors. But with six more district games since the first East clash, one West senior has gained confidence in the youngsters.
“Those girls have matured tremendously, and they have stepped up in a lot of games,” said Candace Ashford. “Our focus this week has been working hard in practice so we can be sure to play four strong quarters.”
Ashford’s practice sentiments were backed up by Patterson.
“Our last two weeks of practice have been really good,” he said. “The girls have really been listening, and they have been paying attention better.”
Whether that means West can shut down East’s senior-laden team remains to be seen. In the two teams’ first meeting, East seniors Simone Bridges, Nicole Johnson and Kamilah Thompson all registered more points than West’s high scorers.
“As far as our offensive game, I think we’ll try to have the mentality of second half play, versus relaxing in the first half,” Mingilton said. “A lot of it has to be self-motivated; they’ve got to have the attitude.”
With West and East both at 9-1 in district and four teams tied for third at 5-5, the Lady Wolves or Lady Panthers are guaranteed to win the 9-5A title. And which team that is may be decided tonight.
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