Big second half propels Cisco past Hawley girls in District 10-2A basketball game

HAWLEY – Every time Cisco made a move to blow open the game in the first half, Hawley had an answer to keep it close.

However, it unraveled in the second half, as the Lady Loboes cruised to a 60-41 victory in a District 10-2A game Monday.

“A little rough the first half, but the second half, we got it lined up a little better,” Cisco coach Brent Kilpatrick said.

Braley Brunson led Cisco (24-6, 9-1) with 21 points, while Justice Fox followed with 15. Angel Raygosa and Brooklyn Hurtado had 11 each.

Kinley Corley had a game-high 25 points for the Lady Cats (12-14, 4-5).

Cisco scored the first eight points of the second quarter to take a 22-8 lead, only to see the Lady Cats storm back to make it a five-point game (26-21) at halftime.

Corley, a junior guard, was a thorn in the Lady Loboes side, scoring 14 in the half.

“We adjusted to try to stop her a little bit more (in the second half),” Kilpatrick said. “She still had a good second half. She was good tonight.”

Cisco outscored Hawley 13-4 to start the third quarter and never looked back.

Brunson scored 14 points in the second half, while Fox – a senior guard – hit five of her team’s seven 3-point goals throughout the game to open up the inside for the Lady Loboes.

“Justice Fox, she’s been a weapon for a long time,” Kilpatrick said of his four-year letterman. “It opens up the middle for Brooklyn to do some things. It’s hard to guard them both. Raygosa did a really good job, too. She hit a couple the first and second half.”

Added Hawley coach Jamie Masonheimer: “They go inside and out, and everybody can shoot it and drive. They’ve got a big girl who can post up. So, they’re a handful. The whole package.”

Masonheimer said his team gave up too many second-chance points in the second half.

“They’re a better team than we are, but I thought we fought and learned in that ballgame,” Masonheimer said.

Both teams eye playoffs

Despite the loss, Masonheimer is thrilled with his team's growth this season. He just wishes his team could have played other district opponents as tough as it did against Cisco that first half.

The Lady Cats still have a shot at making the playoffs, but they'll either have to beat Haskell in the final district game or beat the Maidens in a play-in game later in the week.

Hawley plays at Haskell on Tuesday in the regular-season finale.

The reward for getting in the postseason? How about No. 1 and unbeaten Nocona for the fourth seed.

Masonheimer, who has only one senior on his team, isn’t intimidated by a possible first-round game with Nocona either, should his team get in.

“This district that we’re in, you get into the playoffs, you’re already battle tested,” Masonheimer said. “It’s brutal.”

The Lady Loboes, meanwhile, can still tie No. 22 Stamford (17-4, 10-1) for the district title, and regardless of their seeding heading into the playoffs, Kilpatrick likes the way his team is playing right now.

“The kids are good,” Kilpatrick said. “Man, they’re still working hard, still getting better and still loving it. It’s hard after 30 whatever games. It’s tough. They’re still focused and ready to go.”

Cisco wraps up the regular season at Hamlin on Tuesday. A win gives the Lady Loboes a share of the district title with Stamford. They split the regular-season series with Bulldogs. If they tie, they'll likely play again later in the week for the No. 1 seed.

DISTRICT 10-2A

Cisco 60, Hawley 41

Cisco … 14 … 12 … 24 … 10 – 60

Hawley … 8 … 13 … 15 … 5 – 41

CISCO (24-6, 9-1) – Jaclyn Flores 0 0-0 0, Brooklyn Speer 0 0-0 0, Lucretia Harvell 1 0-0 2, Makenna Ferguson 0 0-2 0, Braley Brunson 7 7-14 21, Pearson Hearne 0 0-0 0, Allie Maples 0 0-4 0, Angel Raygosa 4 1-1 11, Justice Fox 5 0-0 15, Brooklyn Hurtado 5 1-3 11. Totals 22 9-24 60.

HAWLEY (12-14, 4-5) – Erika Cruz 0 0-0 0, Kynzi O’Shields 0 1-2 1, Aubrie Frazier 2 0-1 4, Kinley Corley 10 4-4 25, Sawyer Gilman 0 2-2 2, Ava Davis 0 0-0 0, Brylan Heathington 1 0-0 3, Lucy Hatfield 1 0-0 2, Amber Merrick 2 0-0 4. Totals 16 7-10 41.

3-Point Goals – Cisco 7 (Raygosa 2, Fox 5), Hawley 2 (Corley, Heathington). Total Fouls – Cisco 14, Hawley 20. Fouled Out – Cisco: None; Hawley: Gilman. Technical Fouls – None.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Cisco Lady Loboes fight off Hawley Lady Cats in basketball