Panhandle Pulls Away Late For Semifinal Victory Over Martin's Mill

SAN ANTONIO -- A back-and-forth affair in Friday morning's Class 2A state semifinal swung in Panhandle's direction in the final five minutes.

Fifth-ranked Panhandle finished the game on a 14-4 run to stop No. 4 Martin's Mill one game short of a title-game appearance with a 57-47 win before 3,949 fans at the Alamodome.

Panhandle (35-1) will meet top-ranked Weimar for the 2A title at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, while the Lady Mustangs finished its season at 31-7.

Martin's Mill's Jocie Bennett nailed 3-pointer to the game, 43-43, with 5:28 remaining, but the Lady Mustangs only made one field goal the rest of the way.

It was a struggle from the field all game long for Martin's Mill, which shot just 30 percent for the game (18-of-60). The Lady Mustangs were also dominated on the glass, outrebounded by Panhandle, 43-31.

Panhandle was led by Rylee Albracht, who finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds and three steals. Lainey Choate and Kami Witt added 10 points apiece in the win.

Martin's Mill had two players finish in double figures scoring. Mollie Daniel led the way with 11 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Briley Moon added 10 points and six boards.

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No. 5 Panhandle 57, No. 4 Martin's Mill 47

Girls Class 2A State Semifinal
At Alamodome, San Antonio

Martin's Mill 11 13 14 9 -- 47
Panhandle 11 18 8 20 -- 57

MARTIN'S MILL (31-7) -- Mollie Daniel, 11; Briley Moon, 10; Hailey Celsur, 8; Alyssa Pate, 8; Jocie Bennett, 7; Hannah Celsur, 2; Hailey Hawes, 1.
PANHANDLE (35-1) -- Rylee Albracht, 14; Lainey Choate, 10; Kami Witt, 10; Hunter Heck, 9; Macalle Melton, 6; Callie James, 5; Kinsley Choate, 2; Grace Kuehler, 1.
THREE-POINT GOALS -- Martin's Mill: Bennett (2), Daniel (2), Moon (2), Pate (2). Panhandle: Heck, Witt.