KFDM COOP Posted February 5, 2008 Author Report Posted February 5, 2008 Lee girls fall to P.A. Memorial By Dave Rogers Published February 6, 2008 The Lee Lady Ganders are already set on getting ‘em next year, but that didn’t mean coach Terry Gray’s basketball team couldn’t get after Port Arthur Memorial to finish this year. The playoff-bound Lady Titans had trouble shaking loose from the Lee girls until midway through the second half and even then they never got to take an easy breath before winning 47-39. The Lady Ganders wrapped up their season 1-13 and last place in District 21-5A. They were 9-20 overall. Memorial is headed to the playoffs, either as the league’s second or third playoff seed. “Their athleticism and depth kind of got us,†said Gray, whose team was led by a 12-point, 18-rebound effort from Damequia Montgomery. “They got some runs off turnovers from their pressure.†Post player Kandice Smith led Port Arthur with 19 points and Kat Henderson, who used to be Lee’s point guard, scored seven for the Lady Titans. The Lady Ganders came out strong and matched the Memorial girls basket for basket in the opening period, but Memorial managed a one-point 14-13 edge. The Lady Titans led by five, 22-17, at half, and pulled out to an 11-point, 39-28 lead after three periods. But there was no quit in the Lady Ganders, just as there were no seniors. Most teams close their season with Senior Night and Parents Night, but the Lee girls just had to honor their parents Tuesday. “We usually do both, but we decided to skip Senior Night this year,†said Gray, who had no seniors. So he has reason for optimism with juniors Montgomery, Shareta Godfrey and Shauniece Lewis leading a list of returners that includes freshman point guard Iemah Wallace-Perry. “We’ve got to be upbeat,†Gray said. “Coming into this season we had a maximum of two girls with varsity experience, and I think they learned a lot in 30 games. The spring and summer league ball should make a big difference.†With Henderson, who came from Port Arthur to play for the Lady Ganders a year ago, returning to Port Arthur, “it gave a freshman (Wallace-Perry) an opportunity to learn and get better,†Gray said. “With a new school (Goose Creek Memorial) coming on line, we’re fixing to all be shuffled again, but nobody (on the Lady Ganders) is really zoned for the new school, and the three juniors will be back, for sure. “This year we were a lot like the new school will be next year, a few juniors and everybody else was sophomores and freshmen.†The fourth-year Lee coach is looking forward to the 2008-2009 season. “We’ve got a foundation set,†he said. “The new district will make it interesting. But the big thing is this will be our first senior class next year that we saw play in the eighth grade and brought to camp with us. “I don’t have any disappointment in this season. The kids have put a lot into it and learned a lot.â€
Recommended Posts