Sachse junior Arianna Gregory, pictured defending an Allen player during the Dallas Mavs Fall Classic, scored a game-high 22 points in Tuesday’s 51-45 home win over Plano East. Photo by Maddie Smith / C&S Media
By Mark Saldana
The Sachse Lady Mustangs defeated the Plano East Lady Panthers 51-45 Tuesday night at Sachse High School. Showcasing an impressive performance, the Lady Mustangs improve to a 5-2 overall record.
The game was a tightly contested battle, with both teams switching leads throughout the first half. Plano East started strong, but Sachse’s defense tightened up as the game progressed, allowing the Lady Mustangs to gain control in the second half.
“We knew it would be a tough matchup,” said Sachse head coach Donna McCullough. “Plano East has some outstanding scorers on their team, so it was important for us to be patient and trust in our defense to make some big stops, especially towards the end.”
Arianna Gregory had an outstanding performance, closing it off with a total of 22 points, four rebounds, one assist and three steals. Charish Thompson contributed 10 points and six boards.
Plano East got another standout performance from freshman phenom Arianna Robinson, who had a team-high 21 points. Sophomore Kennedy Borders added 10 points for the Lady Panthers.
In the third quarter, Sachse found its rhythm offensively, with a series of fast breaks, steals and a couple of timely three-pointers. The Lady Mustangs’ aggressive play forced several turnovers from Plano East, which Sachse capitalized on to build a lead.
“It was a total team effort tonight,” McCullough added. “We haven’t seen that type of defense this year, so I was real pleased with how we handled the pressure, the trapping, and shot selection.”
As the fourth quarter began, Plano East rallied to close the gap, but Sachse’s defense held strong. Strong defense, key free throws, and disciplined play in the final minutes helped the Lady Mustangs seal the win.
“We are continuously improving throughout the season,” McCullough said. “We know we have to stay focused on improving our defense and finding good shots.”
With this victory, the Lady Mustangs look forward to their next game versus McKinney North, aiming to build on their momentum and continue their winning streak.
For more on this story see the November 21, 2024 print, or digital edition of The Sachse News. Subscribe today and support local journalism in your community.
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