Burnet girls basketball’s depth shines against Brownwood

CAPTION: Burnet senior Grace Gates and the Lady Dawgs overcame road obstacles for their 10th win of the season. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography

The Burnet High School girls basketball beat Brownwood 63-40 Dec. 12 though the outcome wasn’t that easy.

Head coach Rick Gates commended his players for their ability to focus on the task at hand — coming away with a victory.

“We didn’t pull away until midway through the fourth quarter,” he said. “We had a lead, it was around 10 points. It was a challenge.”

While the Lady Dawgs (10-4) have traveled that far before, the coach noted it was the first time he led a Burnet team in that gym.

“The thing that struck me was how incredibly tight the officials called the game,” he said. “It took us awhile to adjust. The varsity had to sit for two games. Watching the subvarsities, I told our kids about the officiating. I knew how it was going to be. In the second half, they did a much better job.”

Some starters found themselves in early foul trouble and had to sit. That meant reserves played extended minutes and helped earn a 25-19 half-time lead that went to double digits by the start of the fourth period.

“I wanted to have a margin to where (the Lady Lions) wouldn’t be able to come back,” Gates said. “Good job by the entire team to step in and do a great job.”

All five starters entered the final stanza with five minutes remaining in the contest. Junior post Zaria Solis led the way.

“In the fourth quarter, we made shots and pulled away,” the coach said. “Zaria had a terrific night. She had a mismatch, and she had 20 points. Nine kids scored. It was a great win and a complete win.”

Burnet welcomes Valley Mills (7-4), which is on a seven-game winning streak, at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, to The Doghouse.

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