The Maiden basketball team will travel to Lubbock tonight to take on Estacado.

  The Maidens fell to No. 1 Levelland, 62-57, in non-conference action on Dec. 11.   

“I am very excited about how this team has progressed,” Coach Leland Bearden said. “The girls have been very receptive to everything that we are doing. It’s going to be a fun time when district gets here.”

With the move to the familiar Southern district, the Maidens avoid meeting Levelland in district.

  “This year’s district is not as challenging,” senior guard Havyn Perez said. “They are not as competitive, so we should do better in playoffs.” 

  Three freshman players bring speed to the Maidens’ repertoire. They have helped invigorate the defense. 

  “We work the ball as a team and get good open plays,” freshman guard Bree Brattain said. “As a team, our strengths are to encourage one another and get as many shots into the game as we can.” 

  The Maidens changed from a post-dependent offense to a quicker, faster paced one.

  “I think one of our weakness would be our height,” freshman forward Jaylee Matthews said. “All of us are around 5 foot, 4 inches, and our opponents are taller, so it’s a little harder.”

  Despite their size, the Maidens have found more ways to step up their game. 

  “The underclassmen have added more depth, and we’re better than last year,” senior forward Taylor Harvey said. “We just have to work harder and be patient.” 

  Quality practice helps the team put more effort into their games.   “We need to get into the gym more and make practices more intense,” junior guard Madison Carter said. “We’re not so used to losing, so when we are, we work harder to make a comeback.” 

  Senior guard Taylor Harvey sees herself as a leader as a senior on the team. 

  “I feel that it’s my job to help the underclassmen get the ball to where it’s supposed to be,” Harvey said. “I have watched Xoe Rosalez play basketball since we were little, and it’s good to see how much she has improved.” 

   Underclassmen have been building experience during the 10-2 preseason so far, moving the Maidens into the top 20 in the state.

  “We have two seniors on the team, and that’s our strength, but then you have us who haven’t even turned 15 yet,” Matthews said. “We’re still so young and we’re still learning more–just trusting the process.”