The Lady Mavs junior varsity team suffered a 26-32 loss against Stony Point on Tuesday, Jan. 17. Entering the second half of districts, the Mavs held a high-intensity game, the score remained close throughout the game, with each team only being able to hold a two-point lead until the final minutes.

Sophomore Zion Jones stepped up defensively, consistently getting steals and locking up the Tigers on defense.

“We were really excited before, which definitely carried over leading into the game,” Jones said. “Coming into the game with a lot of heart even though they beat us the first time we played them was still amazing.”

The Mavs started the first half strong, making successful plays offensively, as well as pressuring Stony Point on defense, keeping the score in the first quarter 8-3 W. In the second quarter Stony Point was able to go on multiple runs and majorly stepped up defensively, causing the Mavs to only be able to score four points, entering half-time tied at 12-12.

“It was fun to lock them down on defense,” Jones said. “We were able to execute a lot of our plays correctly and score some points.”

Throughout the second half, the score remained close. Coming out of halftime the Mavs were able to get ahead with the third quarter ending 21-19. Starting the fourth and final quarter with a lead, the Mavs were not able to make a lot of successful plays offensively, causing the Tigers to be able to come back. With only one minute left in the game, the Tigers took a 29-26 lead. The Lady Mavs fought hard within the last minute to come back, but when Stony Point scored their final basket, the Mavs were unable to come back, ending the game 32-26.

“Even though we lost it was still pretty cool to go from losing to Stony Point by 30 to only losing by six,” Jones said. “ That’s a pretty huge difference and it just shows overall how we have been working hard and showing improvement, and we’ll get them next year.”

The Lady Mavericks will play again at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 23, at Manor High School.