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SMHS BOYS BASKETBALL
In a showdown between Hays County neighbors, San Marcos defeated Buda Johnson 62-33 to stay undefeated at the Snake Pit.
The Lady Rattlers and Head Coach Cooper Haralson improved their record to 15-5 overall and 2-0 in district play.
“The whole game defensively, we did a great job,” Haralson said. “We had a couple instances in the first quarter where they got us on a couple of things [on] miscommunications.
“We didn’t necessarily shoot the ball the way we wanted to in the first half, but, like I’ve always told you with great defense leaves the easy offense.”
Junior Rianna Garcia hits the three pointer in the third quarter in the Lady Rattlers win over Buda Johnson. Daily Record photo by Gerald Castillo
The Lady Rattlers got off to a slow start offensively scoring only nine points in the first quarter. However, the defense held Buda Johnson to just seven points, allowing San Marcos to enter the second quarter up 9-7.
A three-pointer from junior shooting guard Rianna Garcia to start the second quarter boosted the offense for the Lady Rattlers. Buda Johnson cut the lead down to one possession at 12-10 but a 5-0 run from San Marcos pushed their lead out to 17-10.
Going into halftime, Lady Rattlers led the Jaguars 19-14.
Despite leading by just five points, Haralson believed his team could finish the job.
“I feel like going into that second half we were able to wear them down with the pressure and force tough passes and some poor decision making,” Haralson said. “We were able to take advantage on the other end, which is our go to [and] what we’re good at.
“Getting those turnovers, getting out in transition and finishing on the other end — we just did an excellent job overall defensively then just wore them down in the second half and took advantage when we could.”
The Lady Rattlers opened up the third quarter on a 8-2 run kicked off by another three-pointer from Garcia to lead 27-16. San Marcos scored 27 points in the third quarter including 10 points from senior shooting guard Ayleceia Pierson.
Going into the fourth quarter, the Lady Rattlers led 46-26.
Buda Johnson made it a 48-30 game before a massive 14-0 run by San Marcos made their lead insurmountable at 62-30.
San Marcos later cruised for the 62-33 win.
Pierson led the team in scoring with 16 points followed by Ezra Tobias with 10 points. Junior power forward Melayna Perkins and sophomore shooting guard Rileigh Good both finished with nine points each.
San Marcos will be back on the road this Friday in a showdown with the Clemens Buffaloes. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc
Above, the Lady Rattlers execute on the fast break attempt. Below, Leila Hernandez looks for an open teammate in the Lady Rattlers win over Buda Johnson. Daily Record photos by Gerald Castillo
