After the Lady Cubs lost the 2020 regional quarterfinals last season to Idalou, most of the team was probably told, “there is always next year.” Well as the Lady Cubs embark on a 2 hour and 45 minute drive to the southeast tomorrow afternoon, those words might be playing in their heads over and over. The #5 Brownfield Lady Cubs will take on the #4 Ponder Lady Lions in the Class 3A State Semifinals on Saturday morning March 6, 2021 with a tip-off at 10 a.m at Angelo State University’s Junell Center in San Angelo TX. This is the first time the Lady Cubs have made it to the State Semifinals in 33 years, and the second time in program history.
The Lady Cubs got this far by grit and determination. During the regular season, the Lady Cubs played tough and didn’t leave much to the imagination when it came to hoopin’-it-up. Their only loss came to #10 5A Amarillo High which was ranked in the top ten most of the season. The other game that was close during regular season was against 5A Randall High where the Lady Cubs won 69-67. In district, the Lady Cubs came out undefeated and won each game pretty handily. Then came the post season where they would get a nice bi-district defeat over Presidio 82-19.
However, next would come the gauntlet of teams who have had experience in the post season and of course the defending state champs of Shallowater. After bi-district, the Lady Cubs met up with #6 Idalou in the Area Round, which was the runner-up in District 2-3A. This time they avenged their loss from a season ago. Of course this season Area Round game ended with Gabi Fields being fouled at the 3 point ark with one second left on the clock and they were down by one point, but Gabi put all three in from the line winning 53-51. Next was a waiting game. Because of winter storm Urie, the Lady Cubs didn’t get back on the court for about a week and a day, but finally they got to take on Childress. They were the third seed out of District 2-3A. In a rough and tumble type game, the Lady Cubs managed to come out with a victory 57-55.
Up next was #16 Peaster Lady Greyhounds. Most people you talk to asked where in the world is Peaster. The Lady Cubs found a way to really damper the Lady Greyhounds, especially in the second half. The Lady Cubs led the whole game, however it wasn’t until the 3rd quarter they began to pull away. They left enough room in the point spread to stall in the 4th quarter and won 67-58. Next was the elephant in room, or the idea of taking on the reigning state championship team #1 Shallowater Fillies which was the District Champs out of District 2-3A and their last loss was to Brownfield in late January 2020. The Tiger Pit at Frenship High was loud and exciting with both teams coming in. Perhaps it was a “South Plains Showdown”, even some said it was the hottest ticket in town and even the state, for girls basketball. Anyway, we all know the final outcome of that game… Brownfield knocked off #1 Shallowater 50-45 to advance to the State Semifinals.
Ponder this for a moment. The Lady Lions are coached by someone who is familiar with west Texas girls basketball. Coach Jimmy Avery has been around a few places out here on the South Plains and he intends to make it hard… no… really hard for the Lady Cubs. The Lady Greyhounds defense has become pretty spectacular and thats all you need to win with. So how did Ponder get to where they are playing Brownfield. They had a tough non-district schedule that saw them lose to some really good teams. Their first loss was came from #9 4A Decatur, it was 58-55 in triple overtime. They beat a tough 4A Argyle team 49-47, who went three deep into the playoffs. Their next loss was to #13 6A Denton Guyer 65-55. Their final loss was to #10 4A Bridgeport. As a side note, Decatur, Bridgeport, and Argyle are all in District 7-4A.
The Lady Geyhounds would take district by storm and roll to a 14-0 district championship. Once post season began, they made a lot of noise winning bi-dstrict over Madison 105-15. They then took on Pottsboro in Area winning 60-45. Next victim was Rains out of Emory Texas, winning 53-36. Finally Ponder would get some competetion with #3 Winnsboro. That win was 73-66. For the Region II-3A Championship game, Ponder took down #9 Gunter in a low scoring game 42-29.
Somewhat like the Lady Cubs, this is Ponder’s first time in 23 years to reach the State Semifinals and its second time in program history. The Lady Lions only other time to make it this far was in the 1997-1998 season where they fell to Nazareth 46-43. Thats right, Ponder has come along way from being 1A. Also it will be 23 years and one day to the date and same time that the program played in the State Semifinals.
Moving on, Ponder’s defense is pesky. Most likely Avery will have them slow down the game. If they get a 10 point lead, then all bets are off with the last statement. If this is case, watch how Ponder will use a steady scoring plan to win. At the same time, don’t forget about Brownfield’s arsenal of players who has knocked off the #1, #6, #16 teams in the state and have played an array of teams who have competed well in the postseason… plus their defense is just as pesky and mobile as the next team.
