By Jim Irish
Two talented newcomers are lifting the Bastrop High School girls basketball team to soar above the competition this season.
Zo’Nai Cook, a 5-foot-1 freshman, and Navaeh Jones, a 6-1 senior transfer from Manor, have injected the Bears with talent and a contagious competitive spirit. That was apparent in Bastrop’s 67-11 romp over crosstown rival Cedar Creek in a District 24-5A contest at the Bears gym on Friday.
Bastrop improved to 22-2 overall and 2-0 in district.
As a result, Bastrop fans have something to cheer about after last season’s records of 8-21 overall and 1-13 in district.
Bastrop will undoubtedly establish a single season record for victories
Assistant coach James Bain said the most wins in a season is 23 in 2017 with such standouts as Kya Tarver, Peniah Waites, Akhiri Lester, and Ashlynn Watley.
"We have to work like it's a championship every time. The times we don't do what we need to do, then we down to our opponents."
-- Bastrop girls head coach La Barbera Roberson
District or non-district games are equally important to second-year Bastrop head coach La Barbera Roberson.
”We have to work like it’s a championship every time,” Roberson said. “The times we don’t do what we need to do, then we play down to our opponents. …”
Despite wearing a brace on her right leg from two ACL surgeries, point guard Cook used her quickness to slash to the basketball for layups. She scored a game-high 22 points. But perhaps more impressive were her 10 assists and 8 steals.
Bastrop exploits a two-pronged attack with Miss Inside, Miss Outside
Jones, Miss Inside, took advantage of her height against Cedar Creek’s shorter players with short turnaround layups and putbacks. But she also knocked down her only three-pointer from the top of the key in the third quarter. She achieved a double-double with 17 points (7-of-1o shooting) and 10 rebounds. She added two steals and two blocks.
Kenadee Lawhon, Miss Outside, drilled three 3-pointers and finished with 16 points.
The Bears will be even tougher in January after the arrival of 6-2 junior Keyaira Limuel, who tore her ACL last season competing for Cedar Creek and has recently been cleared to compete.
One glaring statistic: Bastrop scored 49 points off Cedar Creek’s 45 turnovers.
Bastrop threw a full-court press to create many of those turnovers.
Elisah Sanchez led Cedar Creek (1-11, 0-2) with six points on two three-pointers.
On defense, Roberson fancies her 1-2-2 “junk” zone.
”My guards go with the cutter,” she said. “Usually when a person cuts another person picks her up. My other guard swings over to the middle. My post comes halfway on the backside. We cover everybody. It’s hard to get (inside) there.”
Currently with only nine athletes, Roberson practices against the boys freshman and junior varsity teams.
”They’re getting beat up,” Roberson said about her players. “The freshman team has a taller boy. I need him to beat up my taller girls. The freshmen have a guard that’s quicker than (Cook).”
Bastrop is in action next at home on Dec. 20 against Navarro in a district game.
Jim Irish is a freelance writer in Bastrop, Texas
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