John Tyler Girls Return To Form In Rout Of Nacogdoches

TYLER -- John Tyler responded in the best way possible to its first loss in District 16-5A play.

The No. 17 Lady Lions overcame a slow start in Tuesday's game against a competitive Nacogdoches squad for a convincing 77-25 win on the heels of a tough loss at Lufkin on Friday.

"I'm real pleased with the way they came back and created some turnovers and made things happen for it to go our way," JT head coach Mike Smith said. "I thought our defense tonight was very, very good. We kept them down in the teens for the half. That was big for us."

The Lady Dragons (15-13, 4-5) looked like trouble through the first four minutes of the game. After giving up an opening possession layup to Alyssa Mayfield, the team worked out to a 5-2 lead through the game's first four minutes.

But once the Lady Lions (25-4, 7-1) got their second basket of the night, things spiraled out of control.

Shakendra Tilley spurred a 26-0 JT run with a put back. Nacogdoches went nearly a full eight minutes without a score.

The Lady Lions held the opposition to 0-for-6 shooting and forced eight turnovers, including four steals, during the run. They also beat the Dragons on the board, 9-3, in the stretch and Mayfield came up with three straight blocks on one possession.

The run helped the Lady Lions out to a 46-12 halftime lead.

"We're a transition ball club," Smith said. "If we're not making someone turn the ball over, we're having to set up and play half court. We're not big enough to do that, so we've got to play with our speed and play fast."

Nacogdoches opened scoring in the second half with a free throw, but it was outscored in the third quarter 17-6.

Senior forward Amia Wickware led JT with 14 points. She also a team-best three steals.

Alyssa Mayfield finished her night with 13 tallies. Destini Whitehead also reached double-digit scoring with 12 points.

Nacogdoches was led by Adara Land and Ridajia Miller. Both players scored six points.

The Lady Lions' victory gave it the two-game sweep against the Lady Dragons this season.

JT will visit Whitehouse on Friday. Nacogdoches will simultaneously host Lufkin in its effort to get back to .500 in district play.

"We've got a lot of things we've need to improve upon to try to get ready to play in the playoffs," Smith said. "Everybody we play is good. We just have to play better every night. I was proud of the girls for coming out tonight and playing a lot better."

John Tyler 77, Nacogdoches 25

District 16-5A Girls Basketball
At The Lions' Den, Tyler

Nacogdoches                       5       7      6      7    --    25
John Tyler                           17     29    17    14    --    77
NACOGDOCHES (15-13, 4-5) -- Adara Land 6; Radajia Miller 6; D'Aisha Johnson 5; Camary Wright 3; Neketria Duffey 2; Cierra Rodriguez 2; Victoria Davis 1.
John Tyler (25-4, 7-1) -- Amia Wickware 14; Alyssa Mayfield 13; Destini Whitehead 12; Ashtyn Beal 9; Daz Johnson 8; Shakala Johnson 6; Tameal Jones 5; Kaleon Grant 4; Kaleigh Hackett 4; Shakendra Tilley 2.
THREE-POINT GOALS -- Nacogdoches: None. John Tyler: Whitehead (2), Wickware (2), Beal.