Maiden basketball takes district lead with win over Pecos

 The Maidens will host the Andrews Lady Mustangs tonight at 6 p.m., hoping to improve to a fourth win in a district that provides fewer challenges than the preseason.

  “It is very hard to keep the intensity against the slower teams,” junior guard Bretlei Dominguez said. “When that happens, we have to be disciplined so we don’t stoop to their level.”

  The Maidens defeated the Pecos Lady Eagles, 73-28, on Jan. 21.

  “It’s difficult for us to not play at the other team’s level,” junior forward Macey Duncan said. “We tend to get comfortable with how we’re playing, and we end up not playing our best.”

  The district schedule might seem too easy after a preseason filled with 5A and 6A teams. 

  “We played a brutal preseason schedule,” Maiden basketball Coach Tri Danley said. “Our schedule prepared us for district and a possible play-off run. Most of our preseason opponents will make deep play-off runs, so we feel like we have played some tough competition.”

  Since the Maidens started district they have cummulatively outscored their opponents by more than 100 points in the first three games.

  The Pecos win pulled the Maidens to 14-14 overall and a 3-0 district record. 

  “It’s exciting to be in the top of the district because Andrews lost,” Duncan said. “I think being top in district will encourage us to play harder from the play offs.”

  Andrews fell to Fort Stockton, 54-36, on Jan. 21 moving to 8-15 on the season and 2-1 in district. 

  “Andrews has always been one of our biggest rivals,” Dominguez said. “I feel very confident in tonight’s game.”

  Dominguez led scoring against Pecos with 26.

  “To beat Andrews, we need to work hard,” Dominguez said. “We need to bring the ball down quickly and stop turning it over.”