By Allen Hamrick
They say that all good things come to an end, and for the CCMS Lady Mustangs, this was the case on Saturday. The Lady Mustangs were in a tournament war this past week as they participated in the CWVAC tournament. Just to get to big dance, they had to go through Webster and Spencer; a loss to either one would send the Lady Mustangs back to the barn.
First up was Webster, and it was an all out basket to basket free for all, but the Lady Mustangs came out on top by the score of 33-27. Rylee Burkhamer had 15 points in the game to lead the Lady Mustangs. Next up was Spencer, and the game had all the spirit of a national championship. The Lady Mustangs defeated the Lady Yellow Jackets earlier by the score 62-19 in regular season play, but this was a different game. Neither the Lady Mustangs nor the Lady Yellow Jackets could seem to find the net in the first or second period – it was like trying to put smoke in your pocket. They were going paycheck to paycheck with neither team having any big runs at the net to separate the score board. It was a game of defense and who had the final touch on the ball when the time expired. It proved to be a nail biter until the end, and sinking the go ahead basket was like winning the lottery. When all was said and done, it was the Lady Mustangs squeaking by the Lady Yellow Jackets with the score of 24-22. The Lady Mustangs had made it to the finals, and they would have to put on the spice if they were to be the CWVAC Champions.
The Lady Mustangs were pitted in a matchup against their arch rival, the Lady Bears of Summersville Middle. The tension was thick as clay mud as the game got underway with the Lady Bears being one of the toughest teams to meet up with during regular season play. The Lady Mustangs split the games with them during regular season, and this was to be the tie breaker. It was clear from the onset that getting a clear shot on either defense would be tough; they would have to be creative on their play calling. The Lady Bears drew first blood on the boards and never looked back. A relentless defense held the Lady Mustangs to very few baskets. It wasn’t that they didn’t get the chance to score, but the rim may as well have been a gallon can for the Lady Mustangs, as hard to hit as a yellow jacket with a tooth pick. The Lady Mustangs also had a great defense, holding the Lady Bears to less than their best, but at the half the Lady Bears pulled away from the Lady Mustangs with a score was 9-16 at the half. The Lady Mustang offense did, however, find a way through the hands in the face defense by the Lady Bears and started racking up some points, making a run for the lead late in the game. But it was too close to closing time, and the door for the Lady Mustangs closed. In the end, it was the Lady Bears over the Lady Mustangs 30-22.
The game was fast paced, full on and heated at times but made for a great ball game. The Lady Mustangs had a great season during a difficult time as Covid-19 raged. I believe they finished the season 10 and 2 overall and placed runner up in the CWVAC tournament – not bad at all. Rylee Burkhamer and Ilyauna Evans were also awarded All Conference players, and Rylee Burkhamer also won the three point shoot out. All Tournament was awarded to Evie Young and Kenzie Corwell.
The Lady Mustangs will be back strong again next year for sure. Congratulations to the Lady Mustangs on an outstanding year!
