All that pre-district hard work is beginning to pay off. The Mineola Lady Jackets began their district campaign last Tuesday with a 57-31 win over the visiting Malakoff Lady Tigers.

Mineola did it by converting turnovers into points, pushing the tempo and winning the majority of the situational sequences.

Kaitlyn McMahon led Mineola scorers with 14 points, which included four 3-pointers. Canyon Redding contributed 12 points and Kali Chrietzberg added 10. All eight Lady Jackets registered points in the winning effort.

In the first half it was Mineola’s press which fueled the Lady Jacket scoring and built a sizable lead. In the defensive half, Mineola worked hard to deny Malakoff the pass from the point to the wing. 

This simple tactic stalled the Malakoff offense, as it disrupted the flow of their offense. It also helped to keep the ball out of the hands of the Lady Tigers’ talented center, Demariya Singleton. 

The Lady Tigers employed a 1-2-2 zone defense for the duration of the second half and staged a small comeback late in the third period. Mineola’s relentless pursuit of the ball and unselfish play retained a comfortable margin on the scoreboard.

Two sequences of play illustrate the aggressiveness and awareness of the Lady Jackets. In the second quarter, Sophia Hogue found Chrietzberg inside with an excellent backdoor pass. Chrietzberg converted with a smooth reverse lay-up under the basket. She was fouled on the play.

Redding then outsmarted the Lady Tigers on the free throw rebound and went to the line herself, where she sank two free throws.

Just before the half Redding found herself back on the line. She went one for two, but with only seconds remaining in the half, stole the Malakoff inbound pass and dished the ball to Adelyn Steward who laid it in as the horn sounded.  

Mineola countered Malakoff’s height advantage inside with the physicality of Mahayla McMahon, Redding and Steward. Chrietzberg played with her usual intimidating aggression, and freshman Markey Johnson logged some excellent minutes. The back court work of Caroline Castleberry, Kaitlyn McMahon and Hogue minimized errors in the offensive zone and presented quick hands and quicker feet at every turn.

After traveling to Winona for the second district match-up, the Lady Jackets will be playing in the College Station Tournament before resuming district play Jan. 2 when they host Eustace.