Madill girls win third in Comet Holiday tournament

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  • Taren Greathouse Braylee Schneider, #13, attempts to block a shot, while Jayden Weiberg, #2, blocks out any interference during the Madill v. Comets game on Friday, December 18, 2020.
    Taren Greathouse Braylee Schneider, #13, attempts to block a shot, while Jayden Weiberg, #2, blocks out any interference during the Madill v. Comets game on Friday, December 18, 2020.
  • Taren Greathouse Jayden Weiberg runs the ball down the court during the Wildcats v. Comet game on December 19, 2020.
    Taren Greathouse Jayden Weiberg runs the ball down the court during the Wildcats v. Comet game on December 19, 2020.
  • Taren Greathouse Ximena Gomez dribbles past an opponent during the December 19 game.
    Taren Greathouse Ximena Gomez dribbles past an opponent during the December 19 game.
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The Madill high school girls’ basketball team competed in the first annual Dickson Comet Holiday Tournament on December 17 through December 19, 2020. Jayden Weiberg and Mariana Mendez both made the All-Tournament Team. Head coach Shawn Runyan said both players were very deserving of the honor of being named part of the All-Tournament Team.

“Jayden is always our leader and handles the ball,” Runyan said. “Mariana got some good rebounds and scored when we needed to.”

To begin the three-day tournament, the Madill played the Fox Lady Foxes on Thursday. The Lady Wildcats won 36 to 28. Mendez was the top scorer with 15 points, and Weiberg followed with nine points. Senior Ximena Gomez scored seven points. Said Runyan even though they won, there was still room for improvement.

“We played pretty good,” said Runyan. “We need to take care of the ball more.”

Friday night, the Lady Cats faced the Dickson Lady Comets. Runyan said there were some mistakes that led to the team’s loss.

“We did not play well against Dickson,” Runyan noted. “We didn’t take care of the ball, and didn’t rebound like we know how.”

Madill struggled to keep the pace and lost 34 to 48. Weiberg led the team in points, she scored 13 points. In a reverse setting than Thursday’s game, Mendez followed Weiberg with six total points. Junior Joslyn Stumblingbear scored five points.

On Saturday, Madill was fighting for third place against the Pauls Valley Panthers JV team. Runyan attributed the win to focus as the number one reason.

“We rebounded and played well on Saturday,” said Runyan. “We stayed focused and protected the ball.”

Weiberg was again the top scorer with 13 points, and sophomore Aubrie Cantrell had eight points, followed by Junior Braylee Schneider with seven points. The Lady Cats cinched third place by winning 41 to 25.

Runyan said the road from here on out will only get tougher because they will be facing some tough competition.

“We have a couple days of practice over break, then go scrimmage Kingston and Pauls Valley,” said Runyan. “Both will be in our face, lots of defense and good for us to see.”

Madill are scheduled to play the Tishomingo Indians at home on January 12, 2021.