The Palo Duro Lady Dons came to town on Friday night to face the Rangerette basketball team. The teams were evenly matched despite the classification difference. Perryton started slowly and was defeated by the score of 41-38 despite an aggressive second half of scoring.
Palo Duro took a lead late in the first quarter to lead 10-6 as time expired in the quarter. Mackenzi Stokes led Perryton with 4 points in the paint in the period. Molly McGaughy added in 2 points.
The Lady Dons extended their lead to the score of 19-11 at the half as Perryton struggled to score. All the Rangerette points came from the free throw line in the second quarter. Samantha Ramirez entered the books with 4 points while McGaughy added another point to her totals.
Perryton began a run in the third quarter behind McGaughy and Tonya Navarrete’s 5 points each. Kelsi Lossie added in a free throw but a late charge by the Lady Dons allowed them to extend their lead. Palo Duro led by the score of 34-22 at the end of the third quarter.
McGaughy exploded for 7 points in the final stanza as the Rangerettes made a run. Perryton outscored the Lady Dons 16-7 but failed at critical times at the free throw line. The Rettes left 4 points on the table with missed free throws down the stretch.
McGaughy led all scorers with 15 points. Navarrete finished with 10 points in the loss. Stokes scored 6 points while Ramirez finished with 4 points. Analia Loera scored 2 points in her first varsity action while Lossie finished the totals with 1 point.
Perryton shot 8 of 15 from the free throw line for 53% in the game. Palo Duro shot 4 of 14 for 29%. The Rangerettes converted 9 two-point baskets and 4 three-point buckets in the loss.
The Rangerettes have been playing well under the direction of a new head coach this season. Coach Derik Short brings success and experience to the program.
McGaughy commented on the team’s response to new coaching and their early season strengths. “The team has been responding very well to the new coaching staff and has been open to the new ideas. The strengths of the team in the early season have been how quickly we have learned and adapted to having a smaller bench and team.
“We don’t have much experience because we are a young team, but I feel that we are doing very well in the early season.”
The action brings the Rangerettes’ season record to 2-3.