The Permian girls basketball team didn’t lack physicality on defense, but couldn’t keep up on offense as it fell 40-21 against Midland Legacy in District 2-6A play Friday at the Permian Fieldhouse.
Despite the loss, Permian girls coach Keshia Collins saw some positives in how her team played against one of the top teams in the district.
“I definitely think my girls are fighting hard for me, they’re fighting hard for each other,” Collins said. “Aggression and physicality is nothing that we stray away from.
“I was glad we were able to not be fearful of that and kind of match them where they were with that.”
Both teams had a tough time converting shots through the first quarter, but that didn’t keep Midland Legacy from building up an 11-2 lead.
Through the first half, the Lady Panthers looked to create scoring opportunities by driving hard in the paint but they couldn’t create consistent penetration.
Permian got scores from Bailey Wight, Jamie Redic and Sara Chavez in the second quarter to cut the Midland Legacy advantage to nine points at the halftime intermission.
The Lady Rebels went on to outscore Permian 25-15 in the second half, handing the Lady Panthers their fourth district loss.
Collins said she saw her players go through mental lapses on defense that might have resulted from getting beat on prior sequences in the game.
The head coach feels the team could fix those issues by trusting each other.
“I told them, ‘With our type of team defense, your teammates are going to have your back if you do get beat,’” Collins said.
E’Jae Miller led the Lady Panthers with 10 points, followed by Redic with four.
Maggie Erdwurm led Midland Legacy with 10 points, while Myleah Young and Loredana Fouonji each scored nine.
Collins wants to see Permian continue moving in a positive direction, as her players have exhibited growth in every game.
“We’re so young and I just want them to keep battling with me,” Collins said. “We’re going to get better at it.”
Permian (4-14 overall, 2-4 district) will host Abilene High at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Permian Fieldhouse.
>> Follow Chris Amaya on Twitter at @OA_CAmaya
Midland Legacy 40, Permian 21
Friday, Permian Fieldhouse
MIDLAND LEGACY (21-5, 5-1)
Myleah Young 3 1-2 9, Sanya Green 1 2-2 4, Olivia Swing 0 0-0 0, Jazmyn Johnson 3 0-0 8, Almira Schuman 0 0-0 0, Kaylee Erdwurm 0 0-0 0, Loredana Fouonji 3 3-4 9, Maggie Erdwurm 5 0-0 10, Tatiyana Gildon 0 0-0 0, Mia Ramos 0 0-0 0. Totals 15 6-8 40.
PERMIAN (4-14, 2-4)
Caytlen Juarez 0 0-0 0, Micah Smith 0 0-0 0, Bailey Wight 1 0-0 2, Alondra Garcia 0 0-0 0, Kelsey Vasquez 0 0-0 0, Jamie Redic 1 1-2 4, Nadia Turner 0 0-0 0, Akira Brown 0 0-0 0, E’Jae Miller 3 4-6 10, Chloe Mosley 2 0-0 4, Kimora Pierce 0 0-2 0, Dagmar Ortega 0 0-0 0, Sara Chavez 0 1-2 1. Totals 7 6-12 21.
Midland Legacy…… 11…. 4 12 13 — 40
Permian……………….. 2…. 4 9 6 — 21
3-Point goals — Midland Legacy 4 (Young 2, Johnson 2), Legacy 1 (Redic 1). Total fouls — Midland Legacy 12, Permian10. Fouled out — None. Technical fouls — None.
