By Spencer Spilman
The Hays Lady Rebel basketball team took care of business Friday night, on senior night, in preparation for the start of playoffs. The Lady Rebels hosted the Akins Lady Eagles, and even though the Lady Eagles made a late run, Hays was able to hang on to win 65-60.
After an emotional, tear-filled pregame ceremony for the Hays seniors, the Lady Rebels jumped out to a fast start thanks to a few key seniors and their contributions. Senior point guard Alexis Delgado was dishing the ball out all over the court to her teammates, specifically her fellow senior Karlie Schroeder.
Schroeder knocked down several three-pointers and had 12 points in the first half. Delgado had six assists in the first half.
Schroeder talked about the emotions going into her final home game.
“It’s very nerve racking. Very. Especially because it’s our last home game, but you just have to push through it,” she said.
Senior Madison Zapata played big in the post. She out-muscled the Lady Eagles and added eight points in the first half.
In the second quarter, the Lady Rebels turned a 10-point lead in to a 20-point lead in a matter of just three minutes. They went into halftime up 41-20.
The Lady Rebels gained assistance from a few other players. Junior Amanda Benjamin came off the bench and scored 10 points and added five rebounds. Sophomore Jada Finister also scored eight points before fouling out in the fourth quarter.
Boosting the Rebel offense was senior Tara Ramsey who scored seven points and six rebounds off the bench.
Akins began making a comeback at the end of the third quarter and the rest of the fourth thanks to Chynna Rivera’s outside shooting. She got in a rhythm and started knocking down three-pointers. She had a game-high 24 points.
The Lady Eagles cut the Hays lead down to 13 going into the fourth quarter and had a second life in the game.
Hays turned to its senior leaders in the clutch. Delgado dished the ball to Schroeder and Zapata and let them do the rest.
Delgado finished with 11 assists.
“I wasn’t really nervous, I was just excited to play with my teammates and get a win in our last home game,” said Delgado.
Schroeder led the Lady Rebels with 16 points on her senior night. Zapata added 11 points and a team-high seven rebounds.
Hays was outscored by the Lady Eagles in the fourth quarter, but continued to battle.
They hung on to win 65-60, despite a late Akins run.
The Lady Rebels will wait to see their playoff seed. But Friday’s senior night was special for Hays head coach Danny Preuss.
“Those three have been with me for three years and they’re special kids,” Preuss said. “I’ve always called them my triplets; my three amigos. It’s going to be tough losing them. They are really good kids.”
