Game Report - Varsity Girls 2009 Playoffs

MCA Varsity Girls vs. Faith Academy
Saturday, February 21, 2009
by Coach Lee Brock

The Lady Mustang playoff run came to an abrupt halt at the regional finals in San Antonio Saturday as they fell to the District 6 champion Faith Academy of Marble Falls, 44-33. The normally high scoring Mustangs were held to their season low offensive output by the Lady Flames in this hard fought contest. Both teams struggled offensively early in this contest and the difference proved to be foul shooting. The Flames led 20-11 at the half hitting 7 of 11 foul shots while MCA was only 2 of 2 from the charity stripe. Remarkably, Faith Academy's full court press and pressure man to man defense resulted in only 2 first half fouls. MCA, on the other hand was in trouble early as shooting guard Emily Crombar was whistled for her 3rd foul in the first half putting the Flames in the bonus.

The defense continued to carry the day in the third, only 14 total points by both teams at 8-6 Flames, giving them an 11 point lead after the third quarter, 28-17. Foul trouble continued to plague MCA, however, as Crombar and Aly Collins picked up their 4th fouls each early in the 3rd and both eventually were disqualified on fouls in the 4th. The Mustang offense and their shooters finally got untracked in the final period scoring 16 points as Senior Page Nelson hit for a trey and 8 points Sophomore Taylor Brock hit for two treys and eight points. MCA mounted a brief run in the final stanza, but once again they were unable to overcome the deficit at foul line. Faith Academy made 9-14 in the second half giving them 16-25 for the game. The Mustangs were 1-3 in second half and 3-5 for the game.

Nelson led the Mustangs in scoring while Taylor Brock and Savannah Brock had 10 and 6, respectively. Crombar and Collins each finished with 2.

Kendra Field led the Lady Flames with 20 while Shiloh Reaves had 11, Katie Jung 8 and Brooke Field had 5.

It was the 3rd regional final in 4 yrs for MCA's senior captains Savannah Brock and Paige Nelson, but once again they were denied entrance to the final dance. Faith Academy will advance to play Shiner St. Paul at next weekend's final four tourney at Mansfield Summit. Texoma Christian Academy and Muenster Sacred Heart will square off in the other semifinal.

MCA Varsity Girls vs. Bracken
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
by Coach Lee Brock

Your Lady Mustangs continued their playoff run with a hard fought 58-43 win over Bulverde Bracken Christian at Bracken's home court Tuesday night. McKinney Christian had to travel to Bulverde to face the Lady Warriors who were the District 7 2A champs with a perfect 10-0 district record.

Tuesday night's game was intense from the outset and proved to be a series of alternating runs and surges by both teams. MCA came out of the blocks with their pressing defense and established a quick 8-0 lead on baskets by Paige Nelson, Savannah Brock, Emily Crombar, and Aly Collins, but Bracken battled right back with two baskets and then a trey by Maryn Swiere to cut the lead to 8-7. The teams traded baskets through the qtr until a late surge by Bracken including a basket at the buzzer gave them a 20-17 lead after one. The Warriors then got the ball to begin the 2nd, scored and then scored again and, as the home crowd got increasingly louder with a 24-17 lead, MCA had a chance to fold. Instead the Lady Mustangs, with all five starters back from last years district champion and regional finalist team, began to make their case. Nelson knocked down a three on an inbounds play, Brock and Crombar followed with baskets and Crombar hit another three and Collins scored on a put back buzzer beater. When the smoke cleared after a 17-5 run, the Lady Mustangs led 34-29 at the half.

Defense was the key in the second half as the Mustangs limited Bracken to 14 second half points with only 4 in the 4th. Post Laura Lynn Kelly kept the Warriors close single-handedly with 9 of Bracken's 10 points in the 3rd, but the Mustangs still increased their lead by three in the qtr. The pressure defense forced shots away from the baskets and MCA controlled the boards against the much taller Warriors. Crombar bombed another three in the third and MCA finished up 47-39 at the close of the stanza. In the 4th, with the season on the line the Mustangs began to fast break, stretching the lead to as much as 17 and then took the air out of the ball preserve the win.

Crombar led the Mustangs with 21 while Nelson followed with 16. Battling through illness, Savannah Brock pitched in 13. Aly Collins was a force on the offensive boards and had 8 points. Fifth starter Taylor Brock did not score, but contributed immensely with tough defense on Swiere, the Warriors talented point guard.

With the win the Mustangs moved to 18-8 on the season and qualified for the regional finals for the sixth time in their seven year varsity basketball history. MCA's last breakthrough to the final four, however , was 2004 which culminated in the Class A State Championship. The Lady Mustangs path to the final four now must go through a strong team from the Faith Academy of Marble Falls Saturday at 11:00 am in San Antonio.

MCA Varsity Girls vs. Waxahachie Prep
Saturday, February 14, 2009
by Coach Lee Brock