Lady Broncos claim title at Ponder Tourney

By Sandy Anderberg

The Lady Broncos jumped started their tournament season with five huge wins that brought about a Platinum Championship in Ponder last weekend. The ladies were hitting on all cylinders as they knocked out teams from 3A, 4A, and 5A schools.

The Lady Broncos opened the tournament against Iowa Park and defeated them 50-19. Preslee Smith, Kenidee Hayes, and Madi Benson finished in double figures with 16, 13, and 10 points respectively. The Lady Broncos hit four three-pointers and converted free throws at 60 percent.

They took on 5A Wichita Falls in the next game and pounded them 72-34. Cambree Smith, Gracie Ellis and Berkley Moore took control of the scoreboard and finished with 15, 14, and 12 points. The team knocked down all of their free throws hitting all 11 shots and sunk seven shots from the arc.

Benbrook ISD was the next challenger in the bracket and the Lady Broncos took full control early on leading by 27 points after one quarter of play to get the 66-23 win. Moore was on fire with 16 points that included three for three at the bonus line and two three-pointers. C. Smith had 14, and Hayes helped with 12. The host team was next in line to face the Lady Broncos and stay fairly close all game long. A big third quarter for Ponder put them only two points behind the Lady Broncos as they went in to the final eight minutes of play. C. Smith led the charge with 11 points and Moore finished with nine. P. Smith, Ellis, and Hayes all helped with eight, and Millie McAnear added one.

The final game was against Bridgeport, which turned out to be a foul-fest that went into overtime at 35 all. Thirty-eight free throws were shot by both teams in the game with the Lady Broncos hitting 16 of 29. Bridgeport was only able to put three points in the overtime period compared to seven for the Lady Broncos. Ellis and Hayes were able to hit three of six free throws and Hayes was able to score two field goals in the extra minutes.

Solid play and a lot of determination fueled the Lady Broncos who will be back at home December 2 against Abernathy at 6:30 p.m.