By Jim Irish
Photos by Jim Irish and Dustyn Werner
In only her fifth game since returning from ACL surgery and rehab, Keyaira Limuel played as if she didn’t need the brace on her left knee.
The 6-foot-2 junior was present whenever Bastrop required a basket to stave off a Weiss rally. She scored 27 points — mostly after offensive rebounds — to propel the Bears over Weiss 46-37 in the Class 5A playoffs at the Manor gym on Monday.
Limuel added 11 rebounds to earn a double-double. Forward Navaeh Jones scored eight points -- below her average -- but grabbed a game-high 16 rebounds.
The bi-district title was Bastrop’s first since the 1996-‘97 season.
Limuel scored all of Bastrop’s eight points in the fourth quarter, with six on offensive rebounds under the basket.
Except for two missed free throws in the quarter, she was all but unstoppable.
"... I just came out strong... I was there every time."
-- Bastrop forward Keyaira Limuel
”The paint was mine,” Limuel said matter of factly. “I just came out strong and forgot about (team turnovers). I was there every time."
Weiss coach Christonna Jones said she had scouted Limuel in a recent game and knew Limuel was dangerous.
"I knew that she was their motor, and we needed to box her out,” Jones said. “We worked on it and also getting back in transition all week. It came down to them just wanting it more.”
Limuel did not play in Bastrop’s 61-58 win in the final of the GM Blackman tournament in November. Point guard So’nai Cook, however, missed the playoff game after an ACL tear. Bastrop coach La Barbera Roberson might have been relieved to capture the title.
"To God be the glory,” Roberson said after the game.
"I knew that she was their motor, and we needed to box her out. ... It came down to them just wanting it more."
-- Weiss coach Christonna Jones about Limuel
This was a contest of runs and momentum. Bastrop (33-5) had both features at the start. Limuel scored Bastrop’s the game’s first six points on offensive rebounds followed by a three-pointer by Paytin Greene for a 9-0 advantage.
Weiss (16-15) did not score until 1:39 left on the clock in the first quarter. The Wolves scored their four points on free throws to trail 11-4 after the first.
But Weiss was too good not to compete. The Wolves gained their only lead 14-13 on a drive by Tiffany Singleton early in the second.
Bastrop sprinted in front again and led 27-14 on a offensive rebound by Kennedi Clemons with five seconds left in the first half.
Limuel continued to befuddle Weiss in the second half, scoring 17 points.
"... Keyaira led the way. I think they all played really well. ..."
-- Bastrop coach La Barbera Roberson
"I think they all played really well,” Roberson said. “Keyaira led the way. Patio’s defense was awesome. Kenadee Lawhon had to be our defender this time, and she had to drive. Kennedi Clemons came off the bench, and she played really well. Keelyn Johnson came in and got a couple of steals and a rebound. Navaeh (Jones) rebounded.”
Roberson started the game in a 1-2-2 zone but dropped it after only a few minutes in favor of man-to-man defense.
"… I noticed that Weiss didn’t have a player who could dribble or handle the ball,” Roberson said. “I knew we played pretty intense defense. I decided to raise the intensity of the game.”
Alivia Wright and Brooklyn Williams led Weiss with 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Weiss leading scorer Krystyna Dennis, a freshman, committed some turnovers early and scored only four points.
Bastrop collides with Fort Bend Marshall (24-5) in an area matchup at Brenham High School at 7 p.m. on Thursday. The Buffs demolished Forst Bend Austin 76-19 in bi-district.
Marshall is ranked No. 22 in the state 5A rankings, while Bastrop is No. 25
Jim Irish is a freelance writer in Bastrop, Texas
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