Arlington Seguin Ends Longview’s Season In Battle Of State-Ranked Teams

WILLS POINT -- Longview knew it would have to bring its A-game against Arlington Seguin, the winners of a hugely lopsided 83-9 game against Dallas Spruce in the bi-district round of the Class 5A girls basketball playoffs.

Seguin proved to be too much. The Lady Lobos' season ended in the area round with an 80-43 loss on a neutral floor at Wills Point High School.

"It's really been a phenomenal year," Longview head coach Keith Smith said. "There's only going to be one team go through this thing and not get beat during the playoffs. It's always a bummer to lose. In a few days we'll be able to look back and realize the accomplishments they had."

The two teams competed in one of the most high-profile area round games in the state.

Seguin entered the match ranked No. 23 in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches' final Class 5A regular season poll. Longview, with just two losses prior to the playoffs, was ranked 20th and fended off a good Corsicana team Tuesday in the bi-district round.

But rankings did not mean much when the two teams hit the floor. Longview (29-3) trailed from the 5:24 mark of the first quarter onward and the margin got worse in each subsequent period.

Longview only got off 25 shot attempts from the floor in the game.

Seguin had its 25th shot on its first attempt in the second half. It connected on 66 percent of attempts through the course of the game, 23-for-35.

The Lady Lobos lost in the turnover department by nearly a two-to-one ratio with 30.

Alarie Mayze scored 15 points in the first quarter for Seguin (27-7) and did not look back. She finished with a game-best 33 points to lead three Lady Cougars starters in double figures.

Seguin got 17 points from its bench, 15 from sixth man Tajshia Moore.

Mikayla Smith led Longview with 11 points her final high school game. Fellow senior Ravan Chism scored nine points.

"We worked on that press a lot," Keith Smith said. "I thought, early on, we just didn't do what we needed to do. That's what I look back on. I wish I had coached a little better in that respect. It was something we worked on, but obviously not enough in that respect. It's just a little more intense than what we're used to seeing to be honest with you."

Longview will graduate four seniors from its 13-player roster. In addition to Chism and Mikayla Smith, Halee Brewer and Kiara Ross played their final games on the high school level.

Brewer finished third in Friday's scoring for the Lady Lobos with six points. Ross connected on a 3-point shot.

"They've been a great group and I'm going to miss them tremendously," Keith Smith said. "They should be very proud of what they've done in four years. They're going to be very productive and successful as they go on with life."

Despite the rough final outing, Longview accomplished some impressive feats aside from its ranking.

Friday's trip to the area round was a program best since 2010 . The team also finished the season with a .906 winning percentage.

"They won two tournaments and consolation in another," Keith Smith said. "Co-district champs and bi-district. You hate to end the year like this. That's what we're bummed about. But we'll be alright. We'll keep our head up and look for tomorrow."

No. 23 Arlington Seguin 80, No. 20 Longview 43

Class 5A Area Round Playoff Game
At Wills Point High School, Wills Point

Longview          10    13      8     12    --    43
Seguin              22    25     17    16    --    80

LONGVIEW (29-3)-- Mikayla Smith 11; Ravan Chism 9; Halee Brewer 6; Yasmine Bradley 5; Nyelan Powell 4; Aisja Gray 3; Kiara Ross 3; Stephonique Mitchell 2.
SEGUIN (27-7)-- Alarie Mayze 33; Laurynn McGowen 18; Tajshia Moore 15; Khilyn Cooper 10; Daniese Burton 2; Kayla Thompson 2.
THREE-POINT GOALS -- Longview: Ross. Seguin: Mayze (2).