Ladycats suffer road loss as Nocona remains undefeated

Coming off a 2-2 performance in the Battlin’ Billie Classic in Fredericksburg over Christmas break where Reagan Davis took all-tournament honors, Aledo’s Ladycat basketball squad took no time working back into elite competition with the holidays coming to a close.

Aledo fell to 12-13 on the season following Tuesday’s road loss to undefeated Nocona. A stout defensive performance in the second quarter allowed the Lady Indians to coast the rest of the way home en route to a 52-41 win.

“We played pretty well,” Ladycats head coach Nikki Hyles said of her team’s performance. “Nocona’s a tough, physical team. There weren’t a lot of fouls called in the game, and they were more physical than we’ve seen. We had one quarter where we didn’t score much, which hurt us. But we had to play with some intensity, which was nice to see.”

The Ladycats managed to hang with Nocona early in the contest as they looked to put the first blemish of the season on the hosting foe. With the first quarter ending, a single possession was all that stood between Aledo and the hosting Lady Indians as the Ladycats trailed 14-11.

In the second quarter the wheels came off the wagon for Aledo’s offense. Nocona held the visiting squad to just three points through eight minutes of action. During the same stretch the Lady Indians tacked on a dozen points on their end of the floor to take a 26-14 lead into the intermission.

Coming out of the break Aledo regained some offensive momentum. However, it was too little, too late as the Lady Indians held on for an 11-point victory.

Following the tough road loss, the Ladycats look to get back on track as they host Brewer’s Lady Bears on Friday in District 5-5A action.

“Brewer is more athletic than us, but we have the size advantage,” Hyles stated. “They push the ball down the floor, so we’ll have to be prepared for that. Rebounding is going to be important.”

That game is slated for a 6:15 tipoff at the AHS Gymnasium.

Ladycats vs. Nocona – Jan. 3

Varsity

Ella Isbell 10, Claire Byars 7, Reagan Davis 7, Kinley Elms 6, Presley Hull 5, Kenzie Grau 3, Caroline Browning 2, Kandle Boggus 1.

Junior Varsity

Elizabeth Griffin 12, Brenna Clock 8, Breleigh Mayer 4, Savannah Salas 3, August Carlone 2, Maddox Lucas 2, Zion Kennedy 2, Peyton Flores 2, McKenna Sweat 2.

Ladycats vs. Harvest Christian – Dec. 30

Varsity (Battlin Billie Classic)

Reagan Davis 21, Presley Hull 16, Ella Isbell 4, Kenzie Grau 3, Claire Byars 3, Kinley Elms 3, Natalie Anderson 2, Kandle Boggus 2.

Ladycats vs. Connally – Dec. 30

Varsity (Battlin Billie Classic)

Ella Isbell 16, Reagan Davis 14, Kandle Boggus 13, Kinley Elms 11, Natalie Anderson 7, Caroline Browning 7, Kenzie Grau 6, Presley Hull 6, Liz Griffin 5, Taylor Paetzold 2.

Ladycats vs. Boswell – Dec. 29

Varsity (Battlin Billie Classic)

Kandle Boggus 12, Reagan Davis 9, Presley Hull 7, Ella Isbell 3, Natalie Anderson 2, Kenzie Grau 2, Caroline Browning 2, Liz Griffin 2, Kinley Elms 2, Taylor Paetzold 1.

Ladycats vs. Fredericksburg – Dec. 29

Varsity (Battlin Billie Classic)

Kandle Boggus 9, Claire Byars 7, Reagan Davis 6, Kinley Elms 4, Natalie Anderson 3, Ella Isbell 2, Presley Hull 2, Elizabeth Griffin 2