Forney (Tuesday, February 10)—In their final home game as Jackrabbits, the four seniors on the varsity women’s basketball team picked a wonderful way to say goodbye as they led Forney to a 62-45 rout of Mabank.

With the win, Forney improves to 17-17 overall on the season and to 7-5 in District 15-4A play.

After the game, Forney learned that they had finished 2nd in District 15-4A thanks to Terrell’s 45-43 win over Mesquite Poteet. With their respective victories, Forney and Terrell finished with identical 7-5 District 15-4A records. But due to the fact that Forney beat Terrell twice in District 15-4A play, the Lady Rabbits were able to secure 2nd place.

The four teams that will represent District 15-4A in the UIL Playoffs are West Mesquite, Forney, Terrell, and Mesquite Poteet.

At press time, Forney’s Bi District playoff opponent had not been determined. Forney’s Bi District Playoff Game will be played on either Monday, February 16 or Tuesday, February 17.

Now let me talk about the Mabank game.

Led by the offense of Lezlie Jeffrey and Ashlea Gilbert (Jeffrey and Gilbert combined to score 14 first half points) and the defense of LaBresha Hearn and Ajanae Howard, (they did a good job of harassing the Mabank guards), Forney built as much as a 14-point lead at 28-14 in the first half.

The Lady Rabbits built this lead by playing well on both ends of the floor. On offense, Forney repeatedly attacked the basket either in transition or in their half court offense while on defense Forney played aggressively and refused to let Mabank find any kind of rhythm.

At half, Forney led 31-22.     

In the 3rd quarter, Forney’s defense performed at a high level. The Lady Rabbits held Mabank to just 6 point in the 3rd quarter. Ajanae Howard and  LaBresha Hearn were at the forefront of Forney’s excellent defensive performance in the 3rd period. On many occasions, Howard and Hearn would not let the Mabank guards have a clean look at the basket.  These two ladies proved that a player can have a major impact on the game even if they don’t score many points. Forney would not have won this game without the efforts of Howard and Hearn.

For the game, Forney’s defensive efforts caused 25 Mabank turnovers.

With their defense completely shutting down Mabank, Forney’s offense knew that this was the time to put the game away. The Lady Rabbits did in fact put the game away in the 3rd quarter as they built as much as an 18 point at 44-26. In the 3rd quarter, Forney continually pushed the pace and Mabank visibly wilted  under  the Lady Rabbits’ offensive onslaught.

At the end of the 3rd quarter, Forney led 44-28.   

In the 4th quarter, Forney increased their lead to a game high 22 points. (52-30, 54-32 and 59-37). Once they did that, Forney took their foot off the gas and cruised home for the victory.

Forney was led in scoring by Lezlie Jeffrey who poured in 18 points. The majority of Jeffrey’s points came on fast break lay ups or free throws. Jeffrey made 10 of 12 free throws in the game. Darien Jackson and Ashlea Gilbert joined Jeffrey in the double figures scoring club with 13 and 12 points respectively.

After the game, the victory smile on  Head Coach Neal Weaver’s face was as wide as the Mississippi River.

Now it is playoff time.

Final district 15-4A Varsity Women’s Basketball Standings
(Feb. 10, 2009)

**West Mesquite 12-0
*Forney 7-5
*Terrell 7-5
*Mesquite Poteet 6-6
Red Oak 4-8
Mabank 3-9
Lancaster 3-9
** Clinched District 15-4A Title
* Clinched Playoff Berth

Tuesday’s Results
(2/10/2009)

Forney 62, Mabank 45
Terrell 45, Mesquite Poteet 43

West Mesquite 69, Lancaster 45

***

Boys’ Basketball News

On Tuesday, February 10, Forney lost to Mabank 55-46.

With the loss, Forney falls to 10-17 overall and to 0-10 in District 15-4A play.

Current District 15-4A Varsity Men’s Basketball Standings
(Feb. 10, 2009)

Lancaster 10-0
West Mesquite 7-4
Red Oak 6-4
Mesquite Poteet 5-6
Mabank 4-6
Terrell 4-6
Forney 0-10

Tuesday’s Results
(2/10/2009)

Mabank 55, Forney 46
Lancaster 62, West Mesquite 42
Mesquite Poteet 50, Terrell 41