Region 3-A: Lewisville vs. McBee

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season, McBee finished 13-6 – including going undefeated against opponents in its Region 3-1A. Prior to Tuesday, the Panthers had yet to play a game against a regional adversary.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As for Lewisville, the Lions have certainly encountered improved fortunes in 2023-24. Lewisville, which finished last season having won 10 games are already at the 10-win mark for this season – and scored its first region victory earlier in the month against C.A. Johnson.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first of two regional contests between these two teams would go the way of McBee. The Panthers prevailed with a thrilling 40-36 overtime victory over Lewisville.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Remember What Happened Last Time?&nbsp;</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McBee going undefeated in regional play last season means the Panthers won both of its contests against Lewisville in 2022-23. McBee's win last Jan. 17 was a&nbsp;47-30 victory at Lewisville then picked up a 49-28 decision over the Lions at home in early February.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Quarter-By-Quarter</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The beginning of the game would see the two teams locked in a defensive-minded affair. It was one that was going in McBee's direction before Lewisville had more success putting the ball through the basket later on that frame. The Panthers had the early advantage – 9-7 with one complete.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Points continued to be at a premium as the second quarter elapsed. Both the Lions and Panthers would enter halftime without a single 3-pointer made – but many attempted. McBee also entered halftime leading by a tally of 16-13.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lewisville would pull ahead of McBee in the third quarter – and the Lions had the 3-point shot to thank for it. The Lions would get in a groove from behind the arc, draining three of their attempts from downtown that frame. With three complete, Lewisville's lead was 28-22.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At one point late in the fourth quarter, the Lions' advantage was 33-31 prior to a late basket from the Panthers that tied it up. Thirty-two minutes had not decided a thing, so four more would be needed as Lewisville and McBee were all knotted up at 33 apiece.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A defensive-minded contest such as this one would come down to which team's defense would break less. McBee's not only did not break, it rarely bent. The Panthers kept the Lions off the scoreboard in overtime save for a late Lewisville 3-pointer. That plus timely offense sealed the McBee victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Primetime Performers</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":839898,"width":"433px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/01/IMG_8342.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-839898" style="width:433px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A game-high 20-point performance courtesy of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='562109' first='Naomi' last='House']</strong> was crucial in the Panthers getting in the win column. House connected on a go-ahead 3-pointer in overtime that broke the 33-33 deadlock.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":839899,"width":"434px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/01/IMG_8340.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-839899" style="width:434px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a close contest such as this one, every point counts. Including the seven points that were placed on the scoreboard courtesy of <strong>Tymira Williams</strong>. Williams, as is House, are both in their sophomore campaigns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":839902,"width":"438px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/01/IMG_8273-crop-2019x1326-1705487819.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-839902" style="width:438px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lewisville's efforts on Tuesday evening were spearheaded by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='844793' first='Mariah' last='Wallace']</strong>. The senior Lions' guard finished with 16 points. Wallace along with being an effective point-getter is a skilled ball handler.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":839906,"width":"449px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/01/IMG_8280-crop-2698x1772-1705488102.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-839906" style="width:449px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions were also aided by the 13 points that were contributed by another of the team's senior guards. That was <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='266052' first='Trinity' last='Baker']</strong>. Among the 13 she scored were a trio of successful 3-pointers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Benches</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the Panthers had a full compliment of players available on its bench, the Lions' starters logged plenty of minutes as Lewisville only had one available on its.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>What's Next?</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams will be on the road Friday for their next regional matchups. McBee heads to C.A. Johnson and Lewisville will travel to Great Falls.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->