Steers, Lady Blues basketball sub-varsity update

Junior varsity teams for both the Steers and Lady Blues took the court Tuesday, Nov. 15 at Graham High School. For the Lady Blues, JV Red and JV Blue split with Abilene High School. Both Lady Blues JV Red and Steers JV earned wins in their respective games Tuesday night.

Lady Blues JV Red opened a full night of basketball at GHS. Steers JV took on Quanah JV in the classic gym while the Lady Blues varsity hosted Abilene High in the competition gym. Lady Blues JV Blue took on Abilene High in the classic gym during the Steers' varsity game in the competition gym.

JV Red earns second win

JV Red hosted Abilene High JV in the competition gym to open a full night of basketball at GHS. Led by 10 points each from Briley Randall and Camden Thorne, the Lady Blues trailed just once during their 43-37 win.

After giving up a second-chance opportunity early in the first quarter, Randall gave the Lady Blues the lead 20 seconds later. Randall grabbed an offensive rebound and was fouled during her successful put-back attempt. After making her and-one free throw attempt, the Lady Blues led 3-2. Moments later, Evie May earned an assist on a 2-point field goal by Mayci Ryans. The Lady Eagles were able to get within one point on one other occasion in the first quarter, but the Lady Blues pulled away by starting an eight-point run that extended into the second quarter to lead 15-6 with six minutes left in the second quarter.

The Lady Blues took a 10-point lead with just under four minutes remaining in the game with a score by Thorne. An 8-2 run allowed the Lady Indians to cut the deficit to four points with just over a minute left in the game. Back-to-back baskets from Rylee Moore allowed the Lady Blues to ward off a late comeback attempt. 

After traveling to Nocona Friday, Nov. 18 for a 4 p.m. tipoff, JV Red will participate Monday and Tuesday in the Bowie Tournament. 

Lady Blues JV Blue lose

The Lady Blues JV Blue was held without points in the second and third quarters and came up short in a late comeback effort to lose 14-9. 

Playing in the classic gym, Addison Agraz and Diana Simental both went 1-2 from the free-throw line for the Lady Blues’ only points for three quarters of basketball. The Lady Blues were outscored 14-2 over that time.

A strong defensive effort from the Lady Blues held the Lady Indians scoreless in the fourth quarter. Simental made a 3-pointer and was supported with 2-point baskets by Savannah Fricks and Rebekah Gilbertson in the closing quarter. Simental led JV Blue with four points.

JV Blue had Friday off while JV Red and varsity played at Nocona. The team will be back in action Monday and Tuesday at the Bowie Tournament.

Steers JV defeats Quanah JV

The future of Steers basketball was on display in the classic gym as the Steers JV defeated Quanah 48-33. Led by 12 points from Travis Alverez, the Steers maintained control for the majority of the game. 

Eight different Steers players scored baskets in the double-digit win. Fighting off a third-quarter comeback attempt after getting outscored 17-15 in the third quarter, the Steers’ defense held the Indians to five points in the fourth quarter, including one field goal. Rylan Monsey scored all six of his points in the fourth quarter. Pavlo Prenushi scored eight points and Zathin Reyes scored six points. 

The Steers freshman team will play their season-opening game Saturday, Nov. 19 at Sweetwater and will be followed by the JV game. The freshman team is scheduled to tip off at 1 p.m.