Marble Falls girls basketball tips off season against Crockett
CAPTION: Adley Canales served as the Lady Mustangs’ varsity assistant coach. He takes over as the head coach in his eighth year at Marble Falls Independent School District. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
The Marble Falls High School girls basketball team begins the 2024-25 season at Austin Crockett Friday, Nov. 1. The junior varsity plays at 5 p.m. and the varsity follows.
The Lady Mustangs are entering this season with a new head coach though Adley Canales isn’t new to the program. He served as former head coach John Berkman’s varsity assistant the last several years. He is entering his eighth year with Marble Falls Independent School District.
The squad has six returning lettermen led by senior Kylie Roberts, who is a multi-year letterman. Others include Kenadie Cotton, Kaylin Ratliff, Caity Johnson, Nashla Crott, Lyla Pangborn and Leslie Reynoso.
Marble Falls won the district championship two years ago after being picked to win it. That squad was filled with seniors who graduated in 2023. Last year’s team had only one senior, Lexie Edwards, who is now playing at Howard Payne University. Canales was her position coach.
This season’s squad has more experienced players, and Canales said they are working and learning every day.
“They’re eager to work,” he said. “Everyone is on time, which says a lot.”
Last year’s team had to adjust to the speed, strength and skill of other varsity opponents throughout the season. The Lady Mustangs don’t shy away from competition as illustrated by the pre-district schedule and learned some tough lessons that helped pave the way for them to fight their way to a playoff berth after eliminating Lampasas in a play-in contest.
The season ended in a bi-district loss to Waco Connally 42-37. Roberts was moved to point guard, which illustrates her versatility in playing every position on the court. She is strong enough to take the pounding that comes from playing a forward, has the ball-handling skills of a guard, and can run the floor well to finish plays at the rim. And equally important is that Roberts doesn’t shy away from contact as opponents look to punish anyone who tries to penetrate to the basket.
Once the season ended, coaches evaluated the season and determined where the Lady Mustangs needed to improve. Canales said they focused on ball-handling and handling the pressure, adding the best way to improve is simply to put in the time.
This year’s team scrimmaged Copperas Cove, a program known for its athleticism, speed and defensive pressure. Canales believes Copperas Cove is similar to what the Lady Mustangs will face when they begin District 24-4A play.
“They’ve been getting in there and wanting to get better,” he said. “They’re coming in with the right mindset and work ethic. We want to challenge ourselves. We’re adjusting to ball pressure, so we’re not surprised by it when we get to district. Playing a team like that is going to teach us what works well and what we need to improve on.”
Realignment simply made the district stronger. Though Lago Vista is gone, Salado and Taylor were added. Georgetown Gateway doesn’t have a girls basketball program. So that means 10 district contests. Other members are Burnet, Jarrell and Lampasas.
“Every game is going to matter cause all six made it to the playoffs a year ago,” Canales said. “That means that two teams that made the playoffs last year aren’t going this year.”
The team is waiting on junior post Reynoso, who is playing volleyball. She will join the squad after volleyball season ends.
“We’re wanting them to be successful,” Canales said.
CAPTION: Marble Falls senior Kylie Roberts (21) has many layers to her skills that allow coaches to put her in different positions on court. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
