The semifinal game against the Ranchview Lady Wolves was anything but slow.  The Eagles’ strategic play carried them through a very strong defensive competitor. With lots of adrenaline, hearts racing, electricity, and some general chaos throughout, the Wolves came ready to play ball, but the smarter Eagles persevered to win the region final 52-34, earning a spot at the state tournament in San Antonio next weekend.

The game started with the dominant Eagle offense winning the tip and setting up senior Vivian Gray to take the lead and end up as the high point scorer for the game. Gray said that her teammates had a big part in her point earnings.

“They knew how to get me the ball and when,” she said. “They also hit some outside shots so Ranchview wasn’t able to sink in on the post so much.”

Head Coach Skip Townsend knew going in to the game that it would be very physical, and Ranchview did not disappoint.

“We have played teams like them throughout this year to get ready for this game,” Townsend said. “They were ready for a fight, but our work paid off.”

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©The Talon News | GiGi Robertson

Senior Madison Ralston sets up for a pass as the Lady Eagles take on Carrollton Ranchview in the region final, eventually winning 52-34 on Thursday, Jan. 26 at Texas A&M Commerce Fieldhouse in Commerce, TX. (GiGi Robertson / The Talon News)

In the second quarter, chaos won the battle, with a Wolf pack and a convocation of Eagles fighting for control. The Wolves made a comeback and the Eagles struggled to remain in full control, losing a few key shots at the line, but at the end of the half, the crowd went crazy as Ranchview battled hard putting up 3 with only a second left on the board bringing the score 23-16 at the half.

“In the first half our biggest struggle was making free-throws,” senior Vivian Gray said, “but in the second we made all of them.”

The second half saw the Eagles with more success on the floor, and strong contributions from other scoring leaders junior Gabby Standifer (10), senior Jocelyn Pierce (7) and senior Madison Ralston (6) leading the attack along with Gray.

“They are a very different team than us,” junior Gabby Standifer said. “They are much more aggressive and more athletic than us, but we just have to play smarter and do what we are supposed to and that is what we did tonight.”

Ranchview’s high foul count and missed attempts proved to be too much, but the fight never stopped throughout all the punches, elbows, pushes, and lots of scrambling. Though the Wolves would not go quietly, the Eagles came out on top 52-34, securing their spot at the state tournament in San Antonio on March 3-4.

“Our girls had to come out here like a fist-fight tonight to win this game,” Townsend said, “and that is what they did.”