Farmersville girls basketball players, from left, Daniella Jiminez, Rileigh Blankenship, Alexia Hernandez, Gali Mathews, Katelynn McRay and Jachael Pearson were recognized on Senior Night on Friday. Photo by Victor Tapia / C&S Media
By David Wolman
After scoring just three points in the third quarter of last Friday’s game against Wills Point, Farmersville senior forward Gali Mathews felt the Lady Farmers needed to take a deep breath and calm down.
A slew of rushed shots and poor entry passes by Farmersville energized Wills Point, allowing the Lady Tigers to cut what had been a 15-point halftime deficit to just three.
Farmersville regrouped during the timeout between the third and fourth quarters and responded with a more disciplined offensive approach. That discipline paved the way for a 22-point fourth quarter, as the Lady Farmers earned a 56-44 win on Senior Night — a victory that clinched third place in District 13-4A.
“We were just throwing things up because we started to freak out and get anxious,” Mathews said. “But once we pulled away and stayed calm and knew we were going to take this game, we started to be smarter with the ball. And that’s when we win games — when we’re smarter with the ball.”
The game began with Farmersville (18-9 overall, 5-4 District 13-4A) jumping out to a 13-6 lead, including six points from Mathews in the first quarter. The Lady Farmers held a seven-point advantage despite committing six turnovers. Wills Point aided Farmersville’s cause by making just 4 of 12 free throws.
Defense continued to be the story in the second quarter, and it was Farmersville that inflicted the most damage. The Lady Farmers forced nine Lady Tiger turnovers during the eight-minute span, including back-to-back steals with just over two minutes left in the half, both of which senior Alexia Hernandez converted into layups.
Sophomore Southern Sanders made it 30-15 Farmersville after drilling a 3-pointer in the final minute of the half.
Wills Point (10-20, 3-6) came out as the more energized team to begin the second half. The Lady Tigers steadily chipped away at the deficit before junior Madison Allen knocked down a 3-pointer with 50 seconds remaining to pull Wills Point within 34-31.
The fourth quarter opened with both teams trading turnovers on each of the first four possessions. However, the Lady Farmers capitalized. Hernandez corralled an offensive rebound and found senior guard/forward Katelynn McRay wide open under the basket for a layup.
It was one of several assists by Hernandez in the fourth quarter, with her strongest connection coming with Mathews. With just over five minutes remaining, Hernandez delivered a pass to Mathews, who powered her way to the basket, absorbed contact and converted the ensuing free throw for a 41-31 Farmersville lead.
Mathews scored nine of her team-high 18 points in the fourth quarter. Hernandez finished with 14 points, followed by 10 from McRay.
“Alexia and I have played together since junior high, and we just have that chemistry,” Mathews said. “Once we get into a game like that and have good momentum, we find each other. It was really a team effort. If we weren’t hitting those outside shots, I wouldn’t have gotten those inside shots.”
Prior to the game, Hernandez, Mathews, McRay, Daniella Jiminez, Jachael Pearson and Rileigh Blankenship were honored during a ceremony recognizing the team’s six seniors.
“It’s been amazing,” Mathews said. “They’re some of my best friends, and I couldn’t imagine playing basketball without them. We have such great team chemistry, and when we get into games like this, there’s no stopping us.”
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