By Ryan Mayner
The Westlake Lady Chaparrals took the air out of Bales Gym Friday night with a 9-0 lead to start the game, and they never trailed in a 53-30 victory over the Hays High Lady Rebels. It was not the rematch most were expecting after the three- point, double overtime victory authored by Hays at Westlake only a few weeks ago.
Coach Danny Preuss said, “I thought it was two good teams battling it out. They hit the shots and we didn’t hit the shots. That’s pretty much the storyline.”
Westlake’s Holle sisters – junior twin guards – played like twins in a science fiction movie who can read each other’s mind. They continually shredded Hays attempts at man-to-man defense in the first half and blew through their switching defensive adjustments and full-court press in the second half. The twins got everyone involved and kept Hays off balance from beginning to end, nearly outscoring the entire Rebel team.
Preuss said, “They shot well from the floor. They hit some pretty big shots in the first half, and we couldn’t hit anything. The ball didn’t go in for us tonight.”
Every Hays starter underperformed in categories they usually lead. Their guards simply weren’t passing or shooting effectively, and their inside game never had the chance to gain any momentum. Three three-pointers from Senior guard Karlie Shroeder in the second quarter kept the halftime score at 26-13, and a step-up in defensive intensity kept the third quarter competitive.
But the Rebels were never able to make a run, and Westlake hit its free throws in the fourth to ensure the victory. Both teams took their starters out when the lead ballooned to 20 points with only a few minutes left.
There were almost as many Westlake fans in the gym as Rebels; the vocal Rebel fans that show up for most every event were noticeably absent, or at least silent.
Hays falls to 20-10 on the year, 10-4 in district. Westlake improves to 21-7, 10-3.
“We’ve known we were in the playoffs for the last week and a half,” Preuss said. “If we would have won tonight we could have got second place in district. They’re gonna get second now.”
Next up for Hays is a date with the Bowie Bulldogs, who are on a 16-game win streak, undefeated in league play and ranked 12th in state.
“We’re just going to go in there with nothing to lose,” Preuss said.
