BASKETBALL: Lady Mustangs adjust, win district opener at home

The Nixon-Smiley Lady Mustangs took control of their game against Stockdale in the middle periods and started out district play with a 46-39 win over the Lady Brahmas at home Tuesday, Dec. 14.

Stockdale (0-7) came into the game without a win, but played like a team inspired in the first period as they forged a 12-7 lead after eight minutes. Nixon-Smiley (9-9) made adjustments that helped them outscore their guests 12-8 in the second period, making the score 20-19 in favor of the Lady Brahmas at the break.

In the third period, tenacious defensive play by the Lady Mustangs, especially by Mady Velasquez, Greenlee Houseton and Abby Fox put Nixon-Smiley ahead to stay. The score was 35-28 at the end of the third period. An 11-11 fourth period closed out the scoring in the game.

Velasquez and Houseton each had 14 points, with Velasquez adding four rebounds and five steals and Houseton adding seven rebounds and seven steals. Natalee Mendez had six points and three rebounds while Criselle Stansel scored five points.

Kendall Amaya had three points and four rebounds, while Fox had two points, seven rebounds and three steals and Deanna Amaya had two points and six rebounds. Mckaylah Filla had four rebounds as well.

Nixon-Smiley will travel to Cole to play at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17.