Rally in 4th comes up short for Lady ‘Stangs

The first win again eluded the Sweetwater girls basketball team Tuesday. Early, ahead by three at halftime, began the third period on a 14-0 run en route to its 51-39 win. However, Sweetwater put a fourth quarter scare in the visitors, cutting Early’s lead from 16 points (42-26) to six (42-36) with a 10-0 run led by Aunisti Griffin. the Lady Mustangs’ top scorer with 20 points.

But that was as close as it got as the Lady Longhorns responded with a 7-0 run to clinch the win.

Thomas Robinson, who is Sweetwater’s first-year coach, said his 0-7 team refused to quit as Early built a double-digit lead. “These kids fought hard and they’re coachable,” he said after the game. “That’s what I love about them. I want them to be proud of Lady Mustang basketball . ... There’s a light at the end of the tunnel.”

It’s been a struggle so far vs. tough competition, but the game with Early went better than the previous two vs. 6A Abilene High and 4A power Stephenville, though Abilene High had just a sixpoint lead into the second half. Early trailed Sweetwater 16-13 in the second period until an 8-2 run to end the half.

And Griffin had eight of the team’s points in its 10-0 surge that cut Early’s lead to six in the fourth stanza.

She also hit two 3s for the Lady Mustangs in the first quarter as Sweetwater took a two-point lead. She didn’t get enough scoring help in the second half, however. Alyssa Garza finished with six points, Hanna Vera five, Marissa Garcia and Faith Santiago three and Kendall Daniel and Madison Soles one each. Midland High, another Class 6A team, pays a visit at 6 p.m. Friday to the SHS gym. However, Sweetwater will keep fighting and the wins will eventually come.