Lady Broncos runners-up at Naz Tourney

By Sandy Anderberg

The Clarendon Lady Broncos had a great tournament in Nazareth last week and came within only three points of the championship. They swept through one 3A and two 4A schools before succumbing to 4A Lubbock Cooper Liberty 36-38 in the Championship round.

The Lady Broncos blew through Shallowater in the opening round defeating them 52-44. Clarendon jumped out to the early advantage against the Lady Mustangs, but they completed the third quarter only leading by one point. Determination gave them an edge in the fourth to take the win.

Kashlyn Conkin and Tandie Cummins finished in double figures with 11 and 10 respectively with Cummins hitting all six of her free throws and Conkin putting in three three-pointers in the game. Kate Shaw added nine points from her inside position, and Kenidee Hayes added seven. Kennadie Cummins had five, Hayden Elam and Cambree Smith had four each, and Presley Smith helped with two.

The second round the Lady Broncos went up against 4A Hereford and earned the 44-32 win. The ladies shot 65 percent from the bonus line with Hayes hitting all six of her free shots and nailing two big shots from the arc.

Hereford put together a solid second quarter of play that put the Lady Broncos behind by four points. An outstanding final quarter of play on both ends of the court gave the ladies the win as they were able to make crucial stops in the game. Along with Hayes, Conkin added nine points, and Shaw was able to convert eight points.

Seminole was the Lady Broncos’ third draw and they were able to get by the 4A team 41-38. Once again, the Lady Broncos’ aggressive play allowed them to capitalize on mistakes made by the Lady Indians hold the lead after the first quarter ended at 11-11. The ladies did a great job of containing their opponent on both ends of the court. Despite only shooting three free throws in the game, the Lady Broncos played fundamental basketball to get the victory. Conkin put in nine, and Hayes had seven.

Facing off against Lubbock Cooper Liberty in the final game of the tournament proved to be a good test for the ladies as they were able to hold their own until taking the two-point loss in the end.

They did a great job of defending the Lady Patriots keeping the game within reach. Free throws made a big difference in the loss as the Lady Broncos converted seven of twelve, and the Lady Pats made 14 of 21.

Hayes put in 18 points to lead the ladies on the scoreboard that included one three-pointer and hitting five of six from the free throw line. Elam played solid with seven points and Conkin added five.

Earlier in the week, the Lady Broncos won over Abernathy 52-39 on the road. They were able to grab the early momentum and keep the pressure on until the buzzer. Conkin and Hayes finished in double figures with 14 and 11 respectively, and P. Smith and Shaw added nine each. T. Cummins and Elam had three each, Conkin and Berkley Moore had two each, while Madi Benson finished with one.

The Lady Broncos will host Panhandle in their District opener December 13 and travel to Wheeler December 17. They will host Quanah on December 20 with all games beginning at 6:30 p.m.