On the surface, the Midland Legacy girls basketball team appeared to have no trouble in clinching a playoff spot with a 59-34 win over Odessa High Tuesday in District 2-6A action at OHS Fieldhouse.
Still, there were plenty of things that Legacy head coach Ginger Hartman said her team can improve on as the Lady Rebels (15-15 overall, 5-3 in district) prepare for their final two games of the regular season.
“There’s stuff that we have to clean up,” Hartman said. “It’s always hard to play in Odessa, regardless if its Odessa High or Permian. OHS did a great job. I’m proud of my girls for hanging tough. When things started to get rough, they came together and pulled it off.”
Legacy was held to a close first quarter, leading only by five points before using an explosive second quarter in which the Lady Rebels outscored the Lady Bronchos 21-4 to put the game out of reach.
“Defense once again came in and played well,” Hartman said. “The girls started playing defense and we played good basketball.”
Odessa High fell to 11-21, 1-7.
Playing on Senior Night, the Lady Bronchos were coming off a 33-32 win over rivals Permian last Friday.
Legacy’s Mayberry twins were as good as advertised as Erinn Mayberry had 15 points to lead the Lady Rebels in scoring while Aniyah Mayberry finished with 13.
Tagan Treadwell had eight points for Legacy.
The Lady Bronchos were led in scoring by Zenaida Ibarra and Joslyn Palma who each had eight points while Jadah Briones finished with six.
Both teams kept it close in the early stages of the game.
Legacy’s lead was only 15-10 at the end of the first quarter.
However, the Lady Rebels were able to go on a 5-4 run in the second quarter to remain in front as Legacy built a 20-14 lead with 4:23 on the clock.
Legacy’s Aniyah Mayberry’s turnaround jumper made it an eight-point game soon after before the Lady Rebels scored two more inside shots to take a 26-14 lead.
A 3-pointer by Natalie Magallanes gave the Lady Rebels a 32-14 advantage with 1:52 left.
By the time halftime approached, the visitors were at a comfortable 36-14 lead.
Odessa High managed to start making baskets at the start of the third quarter.
However, Legacy used a 10-8 run to remain in control.
The Lady Rebels’ lead was 49-22 heading into the fourth quarter.
Through the first couple of minutes of the fourth, the Lady Rebels held to OHS to only one basket as Legacy went on a 6-2 run to build a 55-24 advantage with 5:21 left.
The Lady Bronchos will next face Wolfforth Frenship at 6 p.m. Friday at OHS Fieldhouse.
The Lady Rebels will return home to face Permian at 6 p.m. Friday at Legacy High School.
“We have to keep getting better and work on offense and clean up some stuff on defense,” Hartman said.
