Every good rally needs a spark. In their 77-37 bi-district win over the Gladewater Lady Bears Monday, Feb. 16, that spark for the Mineola Lady Jackets came from Mahayla McMahon.

The score stood 5-4 at Tyler Junior College’s Wagstaff gymnasium midway through the opening period. McMahon called for the ball after an inbound, in the offensive zone. She drilled a three-pointer, which ignited the Lady Jackets. 

  Canyon Redding then went on a tear, logging four successive scores. She hit a jump shot with an assist from Kaitlyn McMahon, put two offensive rebounds back in, and drove the lane. 

Four other Lady Jackets also scored in that opening period. At the quarter break, Mineola led 21-8. 

Two three-pointers from Kaitlyn McMahon opened the second quarter. The domination continued, as Mineola built a 20-point lead midway through the second quarter. The Lady Jackets ended the half on an 11-point run.

Each Lady Jacket was present and accounted for. The focus of Caroline Castleberry, the energy of Sophia Hogue, and the timely contributions of Marley Johnson (who blocked Gladewater’s first shot attempt), Adelyn Steward, Haylee Nicholson and Raelyn Douglas were evident. 

It was, however, Kali Chrietzberg who set the tone for the team. Chrietzberg’s hostile edge, physicality and aggressiveness communicated that the Lady Jackets simply would not be denied.

After exhausting the Lady Bears in the first half with unrelenting pressure and their normal offense, the Lady Jackets made a strategic change for the second half. Coach McQuary went to a spread offensive set. 

It gave the Lady Jackets a chance to exploit the Lady Bears in one-on-one situations. It worked like a charm.

Repeatedly, Mineola was able to drive to the basket with one of three outcomes: a layup, a pass to a teammate on the backside, or a foul on the shot.  Chrietzberg led this charge, driving the lane consistently and drawing fouls from desperate defenders.

The Lady Jackets outpaced the Lady Bears at every turn. By the late stages, Mineola was beating Gladewater up and down the floor. It was a testament to the conditioning of the Lady Jackets.  

Chrietzberg led Mineola scorers with 17 points. Redding, Kaitlyn McMahon and Hogue joined her in double figures.  All Lady Jackets etched the scorebook.

The win sets Mineola up against the Atlanta Lady Rabbits, who knocked off a strong Jefferson team 51-47 in bi-district action.