As the mantra goes, defense wins championships.
The De Soto defense in the second half made life difficult for a high-powered Cy Creek team, allowing only 13 points in a 53-37 victory, a win that earns the Lady Eagle program it’s first state title and a breakthrough for the program as they wash away the dissapointment from previous trips.
“It doesn’t feel real,” De Soto head coach Andrea Robinson said. “It makes everything worth it. The film, hard practices, grind, recovery. Everything that we done definitely makes it worth it for this moment.”
“It’s a surreal moment,” Smith said. “It doesn’t feel real. Seeing everybody go crazy and seeing the faces definity is worth it.”
In their path to the state title, De Soto had to face tough competition to get to San Antonio, topping South Grand Prairie, Allen, Duncanville, Denton Guyer and Cedar Hill.
“It allows us to be tested,” Robinson said. ‘”Being in our district with the amount of competition that we see, allows us to be tested for these kind of moments. That was one of the things I was telling my kids when we got down to not panic, we’ve been here.”
The Lady Eagle defense held Cy creek to five-of-36 from the field, only allowed one three point basket out of 12 attempts, and forced 14 turnovers, and scoring 13 points from the turnovers in the second half.
Cy Creek were able to crash the offensive boards well, but the shots were not falling for them.
The free throw line was key for the Lady Eagles in stretching their lead, going 10-14 from the charity stripe.
The defensive stand kicked in late in the second quarter, with De Soto riding a 8-3 run ledy by Ariyanna Hines, Tionna Herron, and Kendall Brown.
The Lady Eagles closed the first half on a 9-0 run to take a 27-24 lead into the locker room.
“We were really getting hurt on the boards,” Robinson said. “[I told them] to rebound, take care of the ball and to continue to defend.”
The defense continued to do it’s part in the second half, allowing De Soto to ride a 7-2 run in the middle stages of the third. During the stretch, Cy Creek went zero-of-nine in the field and pulled De Soto within 10 points.
The drought ended with a layup from Rori Harmon to cut the deficit down to eight heading into the fourth.
De Soto held their largest lead of the game at the 4:57 mark after a pair of free throws from Brown. Smith added to the margin with free throws of her own.
Cy Creek were not able to score in the basket as the Lady Cougars ponts came from the free throw line.
“It [the medals] definitely are an icing on the cake,” Brown said. “This team has been through a lot this year with the injuries and other things. It does feel good to bring the first championship to De Soto.”
“Our guards definitely played a big part in that [shutting down Cy Creek],” Smith said. We just tried to not let them go off from the three-point line and to keep them for one shot attempt.”
“We knew if we shut them [Harmon and Hunter] down, it would be harder for them [Cy Creek] to win,” Brown said. “We did our job and we came out with a win.”
The Cy Creek duo of Harmon and Hunter’s respective careers came to a close. Hunter led all scorers with 17 points, three rebounds. Harmon tallied eight points, collected 11 rebounds and recorded five assists. The two players will be playing for Vic Schaeffer and the University of Texas.
“Going 32-1 is challenging for a team like us,” Harmon said. “To get second place, it does hurt, a lot. Just knowing that we got here is a good honor. Congratulation to De Soto.”
“It really is just a honor that we are creating a path for the team that’s behind us,” Hunter said. “We couldn’t have done it withouth them and I know they are going to do great things.
“This group has just laid a foundation of excellence and greatness,” Alexander said. “Not just day in and out in the school day and during practice but what they do on their own time to put into their craft. They are role models for little girls. I’m so proud of them.”
VYPE Photo 📸: “When you’ve given it your all …” @kynskillz poured in 17 points in her final HS game. #txhshoops #UILState pic.twitter.com/zHeouFO8v8
— vypehouston (@vypehouston) March 12, 2021
