Twenty eight games in, Marble Falls getting tougher

January 18, 2013, 9:00 am by Mark Goodson

The second time around is always tougher. Matter of fact, everything is tougher these days for the Marble Falls Lady Mustangs.

Twenty eight games into the season and the Lady Mustangs have earned some battle scars. The last two games Marble Falls has closed the first half with a physical affair with No. 1 state-ranked Vista Ridge and then Tuesday they went on the road and came away with a key win in another dogfight with the Dripping Springs Lady Tigers.

"It seems like its really changed (how the referees are calling games) since we’ve got into district,’’ Jost said. "It seems like every time out now it’s a blood bath.’’

Marble Falls is 18-10 overall and 4-3 in District 25-4A. They play the 21-8 Leander Lady Lions Friday at Max Copeland Gym.

Leander is 4-2 in district with its only losses to Vista Ridge and Cedar Park.

"We aren’t built like they (Marble Falls) are,’’ said Leander coach Jonathan Lamb. "We’re a little smaller…The second time around in district everybody knows where you are going to be, so it comes down to who executes I the key stretches. Every game is a tough one.’’

Marble Falls Sarah Stripling was sick the last time the two teams played and Marble Falls has been good at protecting its home court in district play.

Stripling and the Lady Mustangs will have to match up against a balanced Leander squad.

Leander’s top scorer is Kiahna Thompson with 12.4 point per game. Michelle Madrigal is the point guard and the other starters are Andreya Williams, Rachel Cofield and 5-9 senior post Jenna Guzzetta. They are all averaging around eight points per game.

Against Dripping Springs on the road Tuesday, the Lady Mustangs survived.

For complete coverage of Friday's Leadner game, please read next week's Highlander.