The Mineola Lady Jackets’ playoff run came to an end in a 78-39 defeat at the hands of the Winnsboro Red Raiders last Monday. Winnsboro’s side is a basketball team with few weaknesses and is therefore very difficult to counter.

The first four Winnsboro baskets came from action at the low post. Just after the midway mark of the first quarter, the Raiders were up by 11 points, 13-2. 

If Mineola were to challenge Winnsboro, they had to score more points in the first quarter than the number of turnovers committed. Unfortunately, Winnsboro’s double-teaming, full-court pressure generated four back-to-back turnovers early in the first quarter, and Mineola’s opportunity to challenge slipped away.

At the quarter break, the score stood 22-5, and the Jackets had committed eight turnovers.

After taking a deep breath at the quarter break, the Lady Jackets fought back tenaciously. Jayla Jackson and Kapri Riley hit consecutive 3-pointers, while the Jackets began to force a few turnovers on the Raiders. 

With 5:00 to play in the half, Macy Fischer maneuvered down the baseline and put in a tough lay-in. She completed a three-point play to draw within 9 points, 22-13.  

After a time-out, Winnsboro then rallied for a 13-point run which included three 3-pointers to open the margin to 22 points. The Raiders adjusted to the great helping defense which Mineola executed against post Faith Acker. Once the Raiders got the ball inside they looked to hit a teammate set up on the 3-point arc for an open shot.  

The game was decided by half, with Winnsboro up 21 points. 

The third quarter featured looser play, which did not favor the Jackets. Winnsboro scored at a 2:1 ratio in the second half and pulled away.   

There was a lot to be proud of for Yellowjacket faithful, however. Kapri Riley had perhaps the best game of the year. Defensively, she was on the mark, while she topped Mineola scorers with 14 points. Jayla Jackson surely developed more confidence in her shooting skills, while she and her sister Kyra and fellow freshmen Carmen Carrasco and Paris Spigner garnered top-level playoff experience. 

The examples of Mylee Fischer battling Winnsboro post Faith Acker and Macy Fischer’s efforts to drive the basket will be building blocks for next season. 

The Lady Jackets put together an amazing season which ended with an area championship title. Few saw that coming. It was a remarkable achievement for Coach Alan Wilson, his staff and the whole team.