Lady Blues earn big win on road at Graford

It was a battle for all 32 minutes Tuesday when the Graham Lady Blues traveled down the road for a match-up with the Graford Lady Rabbits.

At the end of that long fight, the Lady Blues came out on top in a 54-51 victory. The win put them at 11-10 on the season with a break before wrapping up non-district play Monday, Dec. 30 against San Angelo Central.

These two teams — approximately 30 minutes apart from each other geographically — played near identical games in their match-up. Not only was the final score a three-point difference, but the teams were only separated by five rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block.

In addition to those close stat margins, the Lady Rabbits shot the ball better than the Lady Blues. But it was Graham’s grit, determination and ability to make big plays in the clutch that helped them hang on for the win.

The two sides played even in the first quarter as they tied 12-12 after the first eight minutes of game time. Katie McGehee led the offense in the first quarter for the Blues as she had five points, with one of them being the team’s first 3-pointer of the game.

The Lady Blues did well to draw fouls and get themselves to the free throw line for easy point opportunities. While the team struggled to convert on those chances at times, it showed an aggression the team needed.

In the second quarter is where things took a change for each side. Graham outscored Graford 15-8 in the second period with McGehee continuing to lead the charge offensively. The sophomore connected on another 3-pointer and a couple 2-point baskets while teammate Ava Street had four points in the frame.

Addyson Weaver and Fayth Bryer both had perfect 2-for-2 trips to the free throw line and Graham led 27-20 at halftime.

While Graford faced a deficit heading into the final two quarters of play, whatever the coach told the Lady Rabbits at halftime seemed to work. The home team came out firing in the third quarter and put up 20 points in the frame to Graham’s 10.

The Lady Rabbits made four 3-pointers in the third quarter and also were perfect at the free throw line. The Lady Blues tried to answer, as Hallie Gough and Briley Randall drained 3-pointers, but the offense struggled a bit.

Heading into the final eight minutes, Graford held a slim 40-37 lead. But this quarter was where Graham’s girls showed the improvement they’ve made all season by making the right plays when necessary.

The Lady Blues had a couple of girls shoot well from the 3-point line with Rebecca McGregor knocking down a few deep shots and Weaver adding in one of her own. 

Graham continued to rebound well and play defense at a level that was enough to keep Graford off the scoreboard in the final moments of the game. Ultimately, the Lady Blues retook the lead and held on as the final buzzer sounded.

Graham outrebounded Graford 35-30 and had 13 assists to the home team’s 12. Other than those two categories and point total, the Lady Rabbits led in other statistics. But Graham’s girls were the ones walking away with the victory.

McGehee led the team in scoring with 14 points followed closely by Randall with 13 points. McGregor added 9 points while other players had a handful of baskets to contribute to the win.