STAFF REPORT
LORETTO — The No. 1 seed Loretto Lady Mustangs (24-3) just had too much firepower for the Community Viqueens to match in Friday night’s region quarterfinals.
The Lady Mustangs got a game-high 26 points from Ally Weathers and Community (10-19) struggled with consistency scoring as the Viqueens’ season came to an end with a 60-29 loss.
Defensively, Loretto held Community to just two field goals in the first quarter—a 3-pointer by Jayla Mangrum and a basket by Kathryn Sego.
In fact, three of the Viqueens’ first five baskets came from the perimeter as Loretto put the action in the paint on complete lockdown for the Purple and Gold.
Magrum hit a second 3-pointer in the second quarter and Taylar Wessner hit one as well.
While Community was held to just 14 points in the first half, Loretto was able to score at multiple levels, by attacking the paint, getting to the line and connecting on shots from beyond the arc.
By halftime, the Lady Mustangs held a 27-14 lead over the Viqueens.
Not much changed in the second half as Loretto doubled up Community on a 12-6 run in the third quarter and put the game out of reach with a 21-point fourth.
Weathers went for 16 total points in the second half to lead Loretto.
As a team, the Lady Mustangs went 7-of-11 from the free throw line, while the Viqueens went just 2-for-6 at the charity stripe.
Haskins led the Viqueens with 12 points.
While it wasn’t the season the Viqueens envisioned a year after qualifying for the Class 2A state semifinals, but the silver lining is Community returns every player next year, not having a single senior on the roster.
The Viqueens close the season with a 10-19 overall record.
Community 6 8 6 9 — 29
Loretto 13 14 12 21 — 60
Community: Anna Haskins 12, Jayla Mangrum 6, Kathryn Sego 6, Taylar Wessner 3 , Brookltn Yoes 2.
Loretto: Ally Weathers 26, Jenny Clifton 12, Ally Augustin 7, Emily Cozart 5, Jessie Chance 4, Sophie Weathers 2, Khole Craigs 2, Libby Sanders 2.
3-Point goals: Loretto (7): Clifton 4, Weathers; Community (5): Haskins 2, Mangrum 2, Wessner.
Halftime score: Loretto 27, Community 14.
