On Tuesday, Jan 31, the women’s varsity basketball team suffered a 46-60 loss at home against Vandegrift. The game started close, but Vandegrift was able to get a strong lead and the Mavs were unable to come back. Nearing the end of the season, the Mavs are currently placed sixth in the district after last night’s loss.
The game started strong for the Lady Mavs with a fastbreak layup from Taryn Smith. Keeping the first quarter neck to neck, but poor defense from the Mavs caused Vandegrift to get two fast-break layups, ending the first quarter 7-16. The second quarter started with multiple missed scoring opportunities, but once they got in the paint, the ball would go in. Still making it a low-scoring half for McNeil, ending the half 13-26.
“It was really close at the start, we went into the half down by ten, but in the second half it kinda just went downhill,” sophomore Smith said. “Riley shot really well and I had a fast break layup which was good.”
In the second half, shots began falling for the Mavs, scoring the first three for McNeil, but Vandegrift’s strong start made it hard for McNeil to fully come back. Not letting the Vipers get full control, the Mavs ended the game with a buzzer-beater three from Riley Samples, ending the game 46-60.
“The team is feeling pretty terrible now that we are out of the playoffs,” Smith said, “But we are super excited to play Westwood on Friday, it will definitely be a good mood booster.
The Lady Mavs will play Westwood High School this Friday, Feb. 2, at Westwood, for a second chance to beat the Warriors.
