Lady Dawgs’ playoff berth already secured
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Before Friday night the Lady Dawgs hadn’t been beaten since Dec. 18. That loss came in non-district play to Fredericksburg who hasn’t lost a single game since mid-November and are now ranked third in the state with a 21-1 record. Burnet’s girls built an impressive 18-1 record, 5-0 in district and enjoyed a bye on Tuesday before facing Salado on Friday.
The season hasn’t been without adversity, but the Lady Dawgs have worked extremely hard to meet each challenge they have faced. The latest one, and injury to senior leader Gracyn Bennett which happened a couple of weeks ago, has certainly left some big shoes to fill. Unfortunately, it is a season-ending injury, and Burnet’s girls will have to move forward with a big piece of the puzzle sidelined.
Salado came to town on Friday night with a 5-1 district record; their only loss to the Lady Dawgs. Burnet’s district record was 5-0 and the girls in green were anticipating a probable district championship with a win.
Things started out great for Burnet. MaeSyn Gay scored four in the opener. Grace Gates was a perfect three of three from the line. Sydne Massoletti made good on two foul shots and Haley McHam hit a three-pointer leading to a 12-3 advantage after one.
Shooting troubles began to emerge for Burnet in the second. The Lady Dawgs only added seven to their score while Salado put up double that at 14. At the halftime break team green was clinging to a 19-17 lead.
Unfortunately, the troubles rolled over into the season half. Burnet was outscored 14-7 in the third and 8-7 in the fourth which was enough for Salado to take the 39-33 win.
It was one of those games you would like to get back. The shots just did not fall for Burnet’s girls. As a team they were nine of 40 from the floor, three of 22 from beyond the arc for just 14 percent.
Leading scorers for Burnet included Gay, nine; Massoletti, seven; McHam, five; Makenna Gilmore, three; Addie Grace Hernandez, three; Gates, three; Abi Aguillon, two; and Shelby Wagner, one.
Burnet played at Taylor on Tuesday. They will end district play at home this Friday versus Lake Belton. If they win both of those games, and Salado were to drop their Friday game versus at Jarrell the Lady Dawgs would still win a district championship. In their first meeting Salado beat Jarrell in Salado 64-56.
If both Burnet and Salado win out, they will be in a tie for first place. Both teams have clinched the playoffs.
