By Jim Irish
Photos by Robert Washington
Bastrop coach La Barbera Roberson told her athletes to maintain their composure in the face of adversity.
"Get outta here. Shake it off. You gotta stay focused. Keep working.
-- Bastrop coach La Barbera Roberson speaking to her players
The Bears met an aggressive Fort Bend Marshall in the area round, pulling away 45-37 late in the fourth quarter at Brenham on Thursday.
“I thought the posts were getting beat up a lot down low, and we didn’t get a lot of fouls called,” Roberson said.
However, when her athletes complained, she told them, “Get outta here. Shake it off. You gotta stay focused. Keep working.”
They accepted Roberson’s advice, and it paid off. The refs called the fouls. Marshall starters Madison Modique and Maniyah Woolridge fouled out. Bastrop’s Alaysia Williams and Navaeh Jones each were close to fouling out with four fouls.
Bastrop (34-4) converted 21-of-32 free throws (66%), while Marshall sank 11-of-22 (50%).
Ten more free throws made all the difference in the win.
"They're very dominant. They're physical in there. They attack the rim."
-- Marshall coach Marcus Washington about Keyaira Limuel and Navaeh Jones
Keyaira Limuel and Navaeh Jones, Bastrop’s Twin Towers, each achieved a double-double. Limuel, a 6-foot-2 junior, scored 13 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, while Jones, a hair under 6-2, tallied 12 points along with 10 rebounds.
“My strategy wasn’t good enough,’ Marshall coach Marcus Washington said about containing Limuel and Jones. “They’re very dominant. They’re physical in there. They attack the rim.”
This playoff contest was tight until the final three minutes.
Marshall’s So’Nyai Mitchell hit a 10-foot jump shot to close within 38-37 at the 2:24 mark in the fourth.
Bastrop then scored the final eight points. Limuel backed in low for a basket. Kenadee Lawhon sank two free throws. Alaysia Williams converted a steal for a layup and with four seconds remaining hit both free throws.
Williams, who has replaced injured So’nai Cook at point guard, almost earned a double-double with 9 points and 10 rebounds. Against Marshall’s effective full-court press, however, she was whistled for 10 of Bastrop’s 22 turnovers.
One referee called multiple traveling violations against Bastrop, some of which Roberson disagreed with.
Lawhon scored only four points but chipped in four assists and five steals.
Shooting guard Patin Greene added seven points and three rebounds.
Roberson briefly spelled Limuel, who recently returned from ACL surgery, and Jones, but the other starters played the entire 32 minutes.
Roberson started the game with a 1-2-2 zone but turned to a man-to-man defense.
Marshall’s Mitchell was explosive no matter what defense Bastrop played.
The 5-5 senior scored 23 points, hitting three 3-pointers and making all four of her free throws. She was Marshall’s only player to score in double figures.
"Sa'Nyai is our heart and soul, and we are going to miss her so much."
-- Washington
Bastrop will compete against Rudder (14-11) in a Class 5A regional semifinal at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Rockdale High School. Rudder defeated Iowa Colony 52-47 in area.
Mother of Bastrop assistant coach Crystal Clemons killed in auto collision after the game
Bastrop athletes penned on their right legs the acronym #D4R which means Do it for Rose. Rose Clemons, the mother of assistant coach Crystal Clemons, died with another passenger in a head-on auto collision on Highway 95 returning from the playoff game at Manor on Monday The driver of the other vehicle was reportedly driving under the influence.
Jim Irish is freelance writer in Bastrop, Texas
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