ANDREW SALMI andrew.salmi@granitemedia partners.com
LA GRANGE — The Taylor High School girls varsity basketball team continued its 4A-District 22 dominance on the road Tuesday, Jan. 23 as the Lady Ducks got a huge 52-38 win over La Grange High School.
“The girls were ready to play them,” Taylor Head Coach Lawrence Bailey said. “They couldn’t wait to get their payback from losing last year here.”
Taylor led 12-11 at the end of the first quarter, increased its lead to 27-17 by halftime and the Lady Ducks broke away in the third quarter with a comfortable 42-23 advantage over the Lady Leopards.
Lady Ducks sophomore Madyson Mitchell led Taylor to victory as she had a game-high 22 points on 10-of-17 shooting, four rebounds, four steals and one blocked shot.
“She brought a whole new dynamic,” Bailey said of Mitchell. “She scores but she is actually pass-first. She loves to set her teammates up to score. She wants to guard the best player on the other team. She does it all with a smile on her face.”
Taylor senior Asia Zachary also scored in double figures with 14 points, seven rebounds, six steals and three assists while junior Kionayh Rivers stepped up with eight points, a game-high 13 rebounds, four blocks, three steals and three assists.
“It has shown their growth,” Bailey said of Zachary and Rivers. “It showed how they will rise when faced with adversity. In this environment, they and their teammates rose above it. It’s a game we needed.”
Taylor (17-7 overall, 9-0 district record) will next be in action at home Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 6:15 p.m. and host Giddings High School. The Lady Ducks are three games away from a perfect 12-0 mark in district play.
“It solidifies what we have built here and the work these girls have put in this season,” Bailey said. “It is definitely one of our goals this season.”
