Panola Fillies Remain Undefeated After Road Test
Athens, TX- The Panola Fillies battled this weekend and found themselves victorious after putting together two back to back wins. The Fillies defeated #17 Northeastern Oklahoma (NEO) 84-41 and McLennan 76-71.
On Friday night, the Filies would face their first ranked opponent in NEO. The Fillies jumped out to a 26- 8 first quarter lead and did not look back. The Fillies would capitalize off the 25 turnovers they forced. Eight of nine players for the Fillies scored.
On Saturday the Lady Highlassies of McLennan jumped out to a 9-0 run from the tip. The Fillies were forced to call a timeout and regroup. After the timeout, the Fillies would go on to make their own run and finish the quarter with a 17-11 lead. The game remained tight and low scoring, but the Fillies went to the break with a 29-26 lead.
The third quarter would be tough as starting point guard Patience Okpe stayed on the bench with three fouls. The Fillies would get a good showing from freshman Weronika Nowakowska as she went four of five from the floor and had 12 of the fillies 22 points of the quarter.
Foul trouble would become an Achilles heel for the Fillies as 2 starters would prepare to start the fourth with 4 fouls. The Highlassies would outscore the Fillies that quarter 28-24. The Fillies and Highlassies would battle the final period all the way down to the end. This period would see 5 ties and 6 lead changes within the final four minutes.
With under two minutes remaining the Fillies would go up 71-68. Solid defense would not be enough as the Highlassies would score a three pointer to tie the game 71-71. In the final minutes, it would be a battle at the free throw line. Freshman Maryia Adachshyk would go 1 for 2 at the line to put the Fillies up 72-71 with 1:19 remaining in the ball game.
The Fillies were able to get a defensive stop as sophomore Nailah Blount would block a shot and Daria Eremeeva would rebound. This would lead to a one on one fast break where Adachshyk would score putting the Fillies up 74-71. After a quick timeout, the Highlassies would advance the ball and the Fillies would look to get another defensive with 1 minute left.
After a missed three pointer by the Highlassies with 50.2 seconds left the Fillies would inbound the ball to go full length of the court. Although the Fillies were able to break the press, they would find themselves in a jump ball situation. Luckily the Fillies would retain possession of the ball. On the following play Adachshyk would miss a layup, but Eremeeva would get an offensive rebound and force a foul with 20.8 seconds left.
Eremeeva would sink both free throws putting the Fillies up 76-71. With 14.1 seconds remaining, Stefany Lorenco would get a steal, but loose it out of bounds. The Fillies would have another stance on defense. They were able to force a turnover and call timeout to advance the ball.
The Fillies would inbound the ball but the Highlassies would get a steal. Quick transition defensive and a rebound secured by Lorenco allowed the Fillies to secure the victory.
The Fillies will have a quick turnaround as they play three games on the road in the next six days. The Fillies take on SU- Shreveport Monday, November 27th at 6pm. They then return to conference action at Angelina Wednesday, November 29th at 630pm and finish up their road stint at San Jacinto Saturday, December 2nd at 2 pm.