After last year’s success, the varsity Girls’ basketball team ended their first game against Rouse 58-49. The girls made an impression last season when they made it to playoffs.

“We went to the first round of playoffs after working really hard and beating out a few other teams that we were tied with,” senior Kylie Douglas said. “They worked really hard getting to where they were. They gave it their all and became closer as a family.”

With this game, they start the year with 1-0 overall. Out of the 58 points scored, 26 were made by senior Rayanna Carter with the help of seniors Brooke Wells, who totaled six points, Anastacia “AJ” Luna, who totaled two points in the game, and Izaila “Gigi” Martinez.

“We worked hard defensively because we felt like their guards couldn’t handle our defensive pressure,” Head Coach Marshall said. “We also worked on second chance points on rebound.”

In the first quarter, 12 points were scored by the Lady Lions. In the second and third quarter, 27 points were scored. In the last stretch of the game, the Lady Lions scored 19 points, winning the game against the Rouse. Senior Andrea Mateo Lugo scored a total 3 points in the game, Martinez scored a total of 8, and sophomore Kassidy Sanders, who scored 8 points throughout the game. 

“One of our biggest goals is we really wanna go to state,” Carter said. “We’re just working really hard so we plan to just shock a lot of people, way bigger than last year.”

This was Marshall’s first game at Leander, along with her first year being Head Coach of the varsity Girls’ basketball team.

“I love her,” Carter said. “I think she’s a great fit for us and she pushes us to the best we can be.”

The next game will be Tuesday, November 17th, against McNeil High School at 7:00 at home.