The Mineola Lady Jackets fell victim to timely 3-point shooting by the hosting Chapel Hill Lady Devils and went down in defeat 34-29 last Friday. 

As with all close games, it was an especially tough loss. Not only was the game tied with 3:59 remaining to play, but the Lady Jackets had out-hustled Chapel Hill and seemed to have had the better course of play. 

With the game tied at 27, the Lady Devils hit three consecutive 3-pointers. In that quick minute and a half, Chapel Hill took a five point lead, putting immense pressure on the Lady Jackets. 

Despite two late steals by Macy Fischer, the Lady Jackets could not convert from the field. They logged a single point in the closing minute while Chapel Hill played the ball ahead and burned up time. 

The game may have had a significantly different outcome had Mineola been able to knock down a few early shots. They started 0-9 from the field.

Excellent defense and great hustle kept the game close. Jayla Jackson warmed-up her jump shot and brought the Lady Jackets even at the quarter break. 

Chapel Hill came out in a man-to-man defense for the second quarter and caused significant issues for the Lady Jackets. Mineola managed only four points in the quarter, an artistic jump-hook from the lane by Payton Applegate and a score off an inbound play by Mahayla McMahon.  

That specific inbound play was a nice piece of work by Fischer who put the ball in play. She looked off, and faked, an inbound pass which uncovered McMahon under the basket. It was good basketball.

At the half, Chapel Hill led 17-12.

The Lady Jackets hustled their way back into the game. A Jaeyla Dennis jumper off a screen, a 3-point play from Jayla Jackson (with an assist from Kyra Jackson) and a Kyra Jackson score on an assist from Dennis combined to even the score late in the third. 

McMahon gave Mineola its first lead of the night with a hard drive down the lane. Moments later she hit a 3-pointer to give the Lady Jackets a 25-21 lead going into the final quarter. 

Two great plays started the fourth. Sophia Hogue forced a Chapel Hill turnover with her oppressive defensive skill. Yet early in the quarter, McMahon made a valiant effort to save a ball on the visitor’s side of the court. In the same sequence, she sprinted back to the home side and blocked a 3-point attempt from the corner. It was an impressive effort. 

Chapel Hill evened the score at 27 after Jayla Jackson had hit a jumper from the free throw line. Chapel Hill then rallied to win the final three minutes and the game.    

The loss puts Mineola at 3-3 after the first round of district play and in fourth place.

The next chance to see the Lady Jackets at home will be Friday, Jan. 18 as they host the Harmony Lady Eagles.