By Marin Murray.
The girls’ basketball team will play in the bi-district round of playoffs on Monday, Feb. 12 at 5 p.m. in Brownfield against Amarillo High, earning a playoff berth for the first time in five years.
“On Monday, I want our girls to play hard, play together and just enjoy the moment,” head coach Brenda Andress said. “We know what they have worked for, and obviously we want to go and compete as hard as we can.”
The fourth-ranked Lady Eagles from District 4-5A will face the undefeated Sandies of District 3-5A, who have an overall record of 32-4 and are ranked second in the state’s 5A class.
“We all just have to come in there with a winning mindset,” junior shooting guard Myra Thomas said. “Even though the odds are very much against us, we just have to go out there hard and fast.”
Despite being the underdog, the team believes they can perform well and has hopes of advancing to the area round.
“My goals are just to go in, play really hard and try to win,” junior point guard Samia Cooper said. “I want to win for my teammates and do the best I can for them.”
The last time the Lady Eagles earned a playoff spot was during the 2018-2019 season, when Terri Aston was the head coach, so this playoff run will be a new experience for all of the players and their head coach.
“It’s a great opportunity for our seniors,” Thomas said. “This is all they have dreamed of, because this was not an opportunity four years ago; this was never even imagined.”
The team honored their two seniors, Ariana Trevino and Samara Padgitt, during a ceremony on Friday, Feb, 2 before playing their final regular season game against Lubbock Cooper.
“We’re very excited about the season,” Andress said. “These ladies have accomplished a lot of great things this year. We’re excited about the accomplishments and progress that they have made.”
The team has improved significantly from last season, jumping from seventh to fourth in the district standings in a matter of a year. They also boast a better record of 17-13 and a higher overall win percentage.
“I’m excited for the girls, and I’m excited for the program,” Andress said. “I think the joy in it for me is seeing the joy on everybody else’s faces, but to be a part of it is great.”
The girls secured their playoff spot following their game against Lubbock Coronado last Tuesday, Jan 30. The excitement of the team combined with the belief of their head coach is giving them all the confidence they need to do their best against the Sandies.
“[Andress] has been great,” Thomas said. “She really believes in us. She puts a lot of effort and thought into every game and practice. She’s just so great, and we love her.”
No matter what happens on Monday, Andress is confident that the team and the program as a whole will be able to use their successes this season as stepping stones for all of their future endeavors.
“We for sure want to build on this,” Andress said. “We’re focused on finishing strong, but we’re also looking at the future. We want to set even bigger goals beyond just making the playoffs. We want to set even higher goals and work even harder.”
