Randall Lady Raiders grab control in second half to roll by West Plains

The habit of the home team falling behind by double digits to the upstart visitor was established earlier in the afternoon by the Randall girls, and the results turned out the same as the boys would.

Randall trailed for more than half the game but took control in the third quarter and cruised over West Plains 60-49 to stay undefeated and tied atop the district. After the Christmas break, the Lady Raiders (13-5, 4-0) will play at Canyon in a matchup between 4-4A teams from CISD who are unbeaten in district play for sole possession of the district lead.

Even though West Plains (11-6, 2-2) had the lead almost the entire first half, Randall still was in front 33-31 at halftime, as Miley Brown hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the Lady Raiders their only first half lead. West Plains led by as many as 12 in the first half, carried offensively by Piper Patterson and Dane ja Agu-White, who led the Lady Wolves with 16 and 12 points respectively.

Sadie Sanchez kept Randall within striking distance in the first half with 15 points, highlighted by four 3-pointers, three of them in the second quarter. That was part of a typical tour de force performance by Sanchez, who had a game-high 27 points.

The two teams traded the lead early in the third quarter before Randall finally took the lead for good and led 48-42 at the end of the quarter. Kennah Thomas and Avery Taylor both hit 3-pointers to help get Randall out in front.

“We think West Plains is a really good team and I’m really proud of out kids,” Randall coach Brooke Walthall said. “I felt they did a great job of processing what we were trying to do with our defensive scout and they’re continuing to find different ways to score on the offensive end. Sadie Sanchez did an awesome job of finding her teammates and creating shots for herself. I think that makes it really hard to guard us.”

Sanchez led Randall’s outside shooting effort as she made four threes and the Lady Raiders had eight. That was the difference in the game, as West Plains made only two 3-pointers.

Both teams will wind up 2023 by playing in tournaments next week before resuming district play. Randall will head to the Whataburger Tournament in Fort Worth while West Plains will stay closer to home by playing in the Gruver Holiday Tournament.

West Plains  21  31  42  49 
Randall          15  33  48  60 
WP – Piper Patterson 16, Dane ja Agu-White 12. R – Sadie Sanchez 27, Keylonai Shrubs 9. Records: West Plains 11-6, 2-2. Randall 13-5, 4-0.