Lady Yoe stay competitive early with #2 Academy

Cameron knew it was going to be somewhat of an uphill battle in the 20-3A opener on Tuesday with number two Little River Academy traveling to town. The Lady Bees beat the Lady Yoe twice last season by an average of 45 points per contest, and the top five players were returning to help garner Academy a top 5 ranking. Cameron did not pull off the upset this go around, but strides were made in what was a much more competitive 55-30 loss.

Cameron (9-8/0-1) opened up to a 9-2 lead to begin the game and held a 14-11 advantage after the first quarter of play.

“I was really proud of how well we started the game,” said Lady Yoe coach Corey Cunningham. “We talked about how we needed to stay in the game as long as possible to build confidence and they did that. I think the key was handling Academy’s press. Last year, they scored in flurries because we could not handle it.”

Lauryn Leftwich was part of the reason for breaking that press, scoring on two layups to give her team what was their biggest lead of the game.

Academy had a 14-1 scoring advantage in the second and took the 25-15 lead into the locker room. Cameron was 0-9 from the floor shooting in that quarter and turned the ball over 11 times.  

The defense managed to hold the Lady Bees to just 10-30 shooting at the half, but guard Kamryn Mraz did get going with a trio of three-point buckets and 18 total points.

“Academy is a skilled team and a very well-coaches team, so I thought our defense played really well against a team that is capable of putting 70 or 80 on the board,” said Cunningham.

Terryn Adams broke the 0-13 scoring streak for Cameron one minute into the third with a layup. The lead was cut down to as low as 27-19 after another Leftwich basket inside the paint.

Adams finished with a team high 14 points, and Leftwich was also in double figures at 10 points. The duo combined for 80 percent of Cameron’s production.

“We have been practicing hard and putting in effort,” said Leftwich. “We were giving it all out there on the court. We can build off of this. We can look forward and keep playing our hardest.”

Adams added: “Knowing that they were second in state, we had to give it our all. We had no regrets. We can learn off of this loss and keep preparing.”

Cunningham also had praise for both players on their efforts. “Those are two players that you want on the court at all times. When they are not scoring points, they find other ways to contribute. Tonight they scored points. They give their heart and that is what they bring more

than anything. I appreciate that they give their all.”

Academy’s Mraz finished with 26 points and Kenidi White came in with 14 points, all coming in the second half.

Marly Spink had 5 points for Cameron. Qua Workman (7) and Adams (7) led the team in rebounding.

20-3A Standings

1. Academy (1-0), 1. Rockdale (1-0), 1. Jarrell (1-0), 1. Franklin (1-0), 5. Cameron Yoe (0-1), 5. Rogers (0-1), 5. Hearne (0-1), 5. Lexington (0-1).

Friday’s Schedule: Cameron @ Jarrell; Franklin @ Rogers, Lexington @ Hearne; Rockdale @ Academy

Tuesday’s Schedule: Hearne @ Cameron; Academy @ Rogers; Franklin @ Lexington; Jarrell @ Rockdale.

3A Girls Basketball Poll

1. Canadian (10-3), 2. Academy (9-1), 3. Mt. Pleasant Chapel Hill (16-1), 4. Sunnyvale (14-1), 5. Wall (8-4), 6. Idalou (11-3), 7. Winnsboro (12-7), 8. Jim Ned (10-5), 9. Pottsboro (12-3), 10. Leonard (12-2), 11. Teague (11-2), 12. Odem (13-4), 13. Mount Vernon (10-5), 14. Spearman (12-3), 15. Industrial (13-3), 16. Cisco (13-2), 17. Hitchcock (9-5), 18. Woodville (15-4), 19. Brock (12-6), 20. Hallettsville (11-3), 21. Boling (10-2), 22. Nocona (12-2), 23. Schulenburg (14-2), 24. Grandview (8-6), 25. Poth (8-2).