Varsity girls basketball faced the Hutto Hippos at home on Tuesday, Nov. 19, ending with a 29-37 loss. The team played their first district game of the season after playing in the I-45 tournament on Thursday, Nov. 14, and Friday, Nov. 15, ending with one win and two losses overall. 

“Our game against Hutto was a good opportunity for us to apply what we had been working on in pre- season,” junior post Lila Svoboda said. “It was a good challenge, and a chance to grow.”

Starting the game off the first half both teams struggled offensively. Svoboda scored the first five points for the Lady Mavs in the first quarter, allowing the Mavs to keep the game close ending the first quarter. Despite their success in the first quarter, going into the second quarter the Lady Mavs fell short. Unable to finish shots and remain strong defensively, the Lady Mavs ended the half losing 17-26.

“We did very well on playing together as a unit and playing good defense,” Svoboda said. “I tried to focus on getting rebounds and driving to the basket and drawing fouls.”

Stepping out into the second half, the Lady Mavs picked up their efforts gaining traction on the Hippos in the third quarter, going into the fourth quarter down by only nine points. Despite their efforts in the third quarter, the Lady Mavs fell short in the fourth quarter, ending the game with their first district loss.

“I really like how we stick together as a team,” senior captain Soyna Chalil said. “My goal is to continue boxing out, and playing good defense, I think that’s what held them well in the end of the game, we were able to bring it back in their last quarter so I’m really proud of my team.”

The Mavs will play again on Tuesday, Nov. 26 at Westwood High School, for their second district game of this year’s season.

“I think the rest of the season we will keep improving and getting better as a team,” Chalil said. “If we just continue playing good defense, I think we are gonna be really good.”