Enter the break at 8-3
After a deep playoff run a year ago, the Saltillo Lady Lions entered this season with a lot of expectations, sitting as the No.5 ranked team in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches preseason poll.
Hoping to repeat on their success from the 2019-2020 season, the Lady Lions set the tone in their season opener, blowing out McLeod, 51-29, at home. Saltillo took their first loss of the season in their second game, falling to Winnsboro 69-44, on the road. Winnsboro is currently ranked No. 4 in Class 3A.
The Lady Lions immediately answered back, beating a much bigger Rains team by double-digits, beating the Class 3A school by a final score of 61-48. Saltillo lost once again to No. 22 in Class 4A Gilmer before going on a five-game winning streak.
During their streak Saltillo beat Van, 43-33; Avery, 60-10; Pewitt, 49-29; Bloomburg, 55-26; and Pittsburg, 80-44. In their five-game winning streak the Lady Lions outscored their opponents by a score of 287-142.
Saltillo lost one more game, falling to LaPoynor, who is currently No. 9 in Class 2A, in a one-point loss, before beating Class 4A Liberty-Eylau by a score of 63-46. With a record of 8-3, the Lady Lions just have one final non-district game against Hooks on Saturday before beginning district play.
Saltillo’s district schedule is:
• Monday, Jan. 4, Saltillo @ Sulphur Bluff at 5:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Jan. 5, Saltillo @ Yantis at 6:30 p.m.
• Friday, Jan. 8, Avinger @ Saltillo at 5:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Jan. 12, Union Hill @ Saltillo at 5:30 p.m.
• Friday, Jan. 15, Saltillo @ Avery at 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, Jan. 19, Sulphur Bluff @ Saltillo at 6 p.m.
• Friday, Jan. 22, Bloomburg @ Saltillo at 5:30 p.m.
• Friday, Jan. 29, Yantis @ Saltillo at 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, Feb. 2, Saltillo @ Avinger at 6 p.m.