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Shelbi Ricketson (32) shoots for two during the Lady Lions' Bi-District playoff game against Miller Grove Monday. Ricketson shared the title of leading scorer with Addi Pipkin in the Lady Lions' 47-15 victory, scoring 11 points. -
Addi Pipkin (3) dribbles the ball down the court during the Lady Lions' Bi-District playoff game against Miller Grove Monday. Pipkin scored 11 points in the Lady Lions' 47-15 win. -
Ryleigh Redar (left) and Maysen Pipkin (right) smile for the camera during pregame warmups of their Bi-District playoff game Monday. The Lady Lions will play the Throckmorton Lady Greyhounds in the Area round. Photos by DJ Spencer
A. Pipkin, Ricketson lead with 11 points each
The Saltillo Lady Lions dominated their Bi-District playoff game against the Miller Grove Lady Hornets at Sulphur Springs Middle School, winning 47-15. Following a close first half, the Lady Lions took their game to a new level in the second half, running away with the victory.
This marked the third year in a row that Saltillo and Miller Grove met each other in the first round of the playoffs, and by extension, the third time Saltillo defeated Miller Grove in the same round.
The first quarter saw the Lady Lions jump out to an early 4-0 lead thanks to two-pointers by Gabby Ross and Shelbi Ricketson. After the Lady Hornets go on the board with a two-pointer, the Lady Lions scored again on a two-pointer by Ryleigh Redar and a three-pointer by Ricketson, raising their lead to 9-2.
The Lady Hornets closed out the first quarter with a two-pointer and three-pointer, trimming the score to 9-7 as the quarter expired.
The second quarter saw the Lady Lions open the scoring with two-pointers by Ricketson and Addi Pipkin, bringing the score to 13-7. Soon after, the Lady Hornets scored on a three-pointer, trimming the score to 13-10.
From there, the Lady Lions extended their lead following a three-pointer and a pair of two-pointers from Lani Dean, bringing the score to 20-10. The Lady Hornets would get on the board again before the buzzer with a two-pointer, cutting the score to 20-12 going into halftime.
Coming out of the break, the Lady Lions stepped up their game in the third quarter, as the Lady Hornets started struggling.
Ricketson began the scoring run with a two-pointer. Redar scored soon after with a two-pointer, bringing the score to 2412.
Addi Pipkin then made a two-pointer. This was followed by a pair of two-pointers from Katie Olvera, raising the score to 30-12.
Soon after, Ricketson drilled a pair of free throws, extending the Lady Lions’ lead to 32-12. After that, the Lady Hornets closed out the third quarter with a two-pointer and free throw, trimming the score to 3215.
The fourth quarter saw the Lady Lions pitch a shutout, as the Lady Hornets couldn’t any offensive rhythm.
Addi Pipkin began the Lady Lions’ scoring spree with a three-pointer and a pair of two-pointers, raising the score to 39-15. This was followed by a two-pointer by Ross, extending their lead to 41-15.
Redar then made another two-pointer to bring the score to 43-15. Kenzi Pipkin then got on the board with a two-pointer to make the score 45-15.
Jaelynn Miller added another two-pointer to cap the game off, as the Lady Lions polished off a dominant 47-15 victory.
Addi Pipkin and Ricketson shared the title of leading scorer with 11 points each. Dean was second in points with seven. Rounding out the scoring was Redar with six, Olvera and Ross with four each, and Miller and Kenzi Pipkin with two each.
With the win, the Lady Lions captured a Bi-District championship and improved to 26-7 overall. They also advanced to the Area round.
The Lady Lions will take on the Throckmorton Lady Greyhounds in the Area round of the playoffs. The game will be Friday, 6:30 p.m. at Tioga High School.