The Alba-Golden Lady Panthers routed the James Madison High School Lady Trojans, 73-19, in bi-district action Feb. 11 at Wills Point. Alba-Golden employed an aggressive, hounding defense and excellent court spacing to throttle the Lady Trojans at every turn.

The Lady Panthers’ full-court press worked just as designed, creating 14 Trojan turnovers in the first quarter. Most led directly to points.

Alba-Golden went on a 11-0 run to start the game. Their three-to-one rebounding advantage and relentless pressure built the lead to 21-0 at the end of one quarter.

The second quarter featured more of the same. Dallas Madison struggled mightily against the Alba-Golden pressure. Typical of the Lady Panthers’ play was a sequence midway through the second quarter. Lizzie Hallman stole the ball, pushed the ball down court to Sammy Rambsel, who then scooped the ball to Grace Bizzell for the score. At the half the score stood 46-0.

Head Coach Black Hamrick called off the full-court press in the second half. The Lady Panthers still forced 12 turnovers after intermission, and their scoring continued apace. Two plays signified Alba-Golden’s efforts on the night. Midway in the third quarter, Ginny Carson found Macie Pendergrass on a beautiful inside move for a score. Just after the quarter break, Pendergrass assisted Carson on the baseline for two.

It is estimated that 230 residents and friends of Alba-Golden filled the stands at the Wills Point gym.

At the final buzzer, the Alba-Golden Lady Panthers had decisively defeated their opponents from Dallas and qualified for area competition.