The Gonzales Lady Apaches are looking to turn the page after a challenging run through early-January tournament play.

GONZALES — Entering district play with a 9–14 overall record, the Gonzales Apaches closed out non-district competition on a high note Tuesday night, picking up a 57–45 home victory in their final tune-up before district action begins this week.

With district competition set to begin Friday on the road at La Vernia, the Apaches used their last pre-district game to continue building chemistry, confidence and momentum as the season turns its focus to district standings and playoff positioning.

Head coach Alex Matanic said the win was an important step for a young Gonzales roster that has steadily progressed through the pre-district portion of the season.

“It’s good to finally be back home,” Matanic said. “We had a long road stretch the past couple of weeks, and it’s good to end pre-district with a win and head in the right direction. All the wheels are rolling the right way.”

Matanic said his team has continued to buy into the program’s culture and has shown growth as it moves deeper into the season.

“With such a young group, you never want to rush anything,” he said. “The girls are playing hard, buying into the culture, and we’re headed in the right direction.”

Tuesday’s contest featured a physical pace, something the Apaches embraced while continuing to learn how to handle adversity.

“We’re a physical team, so I think we handled it well,” Matanic said. “We’re learning not to worry about what’s called and what’s not. That’s part of the growing process, and we’re doing a much better job of that.”

Several players provided key contributions throughout the night, including Syrenity Smith, who returned after missing a portion of the season with an injury and delivered timely shooting off the bench.

“I was super nervous at first,” Smith said. “Once my team hyped me up, I felt ready. That first three just got me ready for the next shot.”

Ellie Mae Lester also set the early tone for Gonzales, knocking down a series of early three-pointers to get the Apaches started.

Senior McKenzie Gillette said the team’s chemistry has continued to improve at the right time.

“It feels really good that our team is finally coming together,” Gillette said. “Having all the fans supporting us and having everything clicking going into district feels good.”

Gillette added that the Apaches were able to handle the physicality of the game by focusing on what they could control.

“Basketball is a physical sport,” she said. “Just controlling our emotions and controlling what we can control helped us throughout the whole game.”

As Gonzales prepares to open district play Friday at La Vernia, confidence within the locker room remains high.

“I’m super confident in what our girls can do,” Matanic said. “As long as they stay together, trust the process, and don’t get too high or too low, we’ll be okay.”

Smith echoed that mindset as the Apaches set their sights on the postseason.

“Our goal is to get to the playoffs and get past the first round,” she said.

Gonzales will begin district competition Friday on the road at La Vernia.