BASKETBALL: Nixon-Smiley girls win opener of own tourney

The Nixon-Smiley Lady Mustangs jumped out to a big early lead and never trailed as they stampeded the Goliad Lady Tigers, 48-38, in the opening round of the Nixon-Smiley Tournament on Tuesday, Dec. 28.

Nixon-Smiley (11-10) held a 5-4 lead in the first period and then unleashed a 14-0 run on Goliad behind three-point shooting by Kendall Amaya, who hit two treys in the first eight minutes of the game. At the end of the first period, the Lady Mustangs had a 19-4 lead.

In the second period, Nixon-Smiley had a cold spell that allowed the Lady Tigers to climb back into the game. Goliad outscored the Lady Mustangs, 18-10, in the frame and Nixon-Smiley took a 29-22 lead into the lockerroom at the break.

In the third period, the Lady Mustangs started to press even more, creating turnovers that they converted into points. Nixon-Smiley outscored Goliad, 11-8, to take a 40-30 lead after three quarters.

The two teams both were pretty gassed in the final period as both only scored eight points. Nixon-Smiley did extend their lead up to 14 points before Goliad trimmed the final margin back to 10.

Amaya had 13 points to lead the Lady Mustangs, while Criselle Stansel had 11 points. Natalee Mendez added nine points and Mady Velasquez scored seven. Also scoring were Greenlee Houseton with four, Madisyne Rice with three and Cecilie Villasana with one.

Nixon-Smiley was to play Blanco at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28, and then had games at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29, against Sacred Heart and at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29, against Yorktown.