Burnet girls basketball shows depth in beating Canyon Lake
CAPTION: Patience on offense and finishing plays, especially from sophomore Sierra Schaefer, are reasons why the Burnet Lady Dawgs defeated Canyon Lake. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography
The Burnet High School girls basketball team beat Canyon Lake 48-39 Dec. 9 to capture its third win in a row.
The Lady Dawgs (9-4) led from the start thanks to setting up their half-court offense, running their transition offense when the opportunity was there, and making defensive adjustments that limited the Lady Hawks (5-7).
Head coach Rick Gates noted Canyon Lake scored a total of eight points in the second and fourth periods.
“That’s what we like — single-digit quarters,” he said. “One of the things we talk about is you have to play on a certain level to play varsity. When we have a soft closeout, that’s not good enough. All of our players are giving super effort on defense.”
After the two teams played to a 12-12 tie at the end of the opening stanza, Burnet dropped in 18 points for a 30-20 lead behind the defensive rebounding of junior center Zaria Solis and the ball-handling skills of junior MaeSyn Gay. When Solis grabbed rebounds, Gay moved to an open spot on the floor to catch the outlet pass, immediately drove to the middle of the floor, and kept going until she reached the paint. From there Gay was either fouled or drew the defense so she could pass to an open player such as sophomore Sierra Schaefer, who scored a two-foot jumper.
“MaeSyn understands that it doesn’t matter who scores,” Gates said. “Let’s get a good shot and good shot selection. That’s also something we work on is finishing. If we can put pressure on the defense and pressure on the ball, that’s good for us.”
The players also understand the difference between taking a good shot as opposed to an ill-advised one. That means not forcing an attempt when one isn’t there, he pointed out.
Gay led with 11 points followed by Solis with 10, senior guard Grace Gates scored eight, and sophomore guard Sydney Lough added seven.
Canyon Lake sophomore guard Reece Coburn led all scorers with 14 points followed by junior guard Sofia George with 12.
Gates added that during the pre-district season, many Lady Dawgs are getting minutes because these contests are preparing them for District 24-4A play.
“I have a rotation I’m working on,” he said. “All 10 are getting deserved minutes. This is the time, in my opinion, where you have to see what you got.”
Burnet travels to play at Brownwood at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12.
Watch videos on Highland Lakes sports by going to Fierro’s YouTube channel and searching for The Broad Podcaster. Please like, subscribe and share.
