Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton
Honey Aldridge of Mabank seeks an outlet pass during the Feb. 25 State Semifinal game against Decatur.

Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton
Mabank’s Jayda Searcy protects the ball from a Decatur player while dribbling toward teammate Jacey Jones.

Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton
Jacey Jones of Mabank dribbles with her left hand while looking for a Lady Panther teammate Feb. 25 against Decatur.

Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton
Mabank’s Kendal Woods (left) hits the floor while scrambling with a Decatur player for possession Feb. 25.

ARLINGTON–The Mabank Lady Panthers, who won the Bi-District, Area and Regional championships through four rounds of the playoffs before making the Class 4A Division I State Semifinals against Decatur, ended their season Feb. 25 with a 31-7 record, one victory away from the State championship game in San Antonio.
That Feb. 25 State Semifinal game versus the Decatur Lady Eagles at Mansfield Timberview High School (which is technically in Arlington) started with the Lady Eagles soaring soon, taking a 12-0 lead halfway through the first period. At that point, Mabank’s Nina Sanchez scored the Lady Panthers’ first points with a field goal.
Taylor Granger of Mabank then converted a 3-point play after being fouled to cut Decatur’s lead to 14-5 with 2:54 left in the first period. Early in the second period, Makinley White of Mabank drove for a hoop to make it 19-7, Decatur, but the Lady Eagles quickly responded. With 4:50 left in the second period, Mabank’s Honey Aldridge grabbed an offensive rebound and followed with a bucket, which brought the Mabank crowd to their feet and forced a Decatur timeout, with the Lady Panthers down 21-11. Decatur then seized a 28-14 halftime lead.
Mabank’s Jacey Jones scored the first points of the second half, being found underneath for a hoop with 7:18 left in the third period to cut Decatur’s halftime advantage to 28-16. With 6:48 left in the third, Aldridge made a Lady Panther free throw to get even closer, at 28-17. Decatur next outscored Mabank 9-2, taking a 37-19 lead.
After falling behind 45-26 entering the fourth period, Bailey Litchfield fought for a Mabank basket with 5:33 left in the game to cut Decatur’s margin to 17, at 49-32. Aldridge dished an assist to Jones for a basket under the goal with 3:09 left in the contest, making it 51-43. Decatur scored one more basket to clinch the State Semifinal and move on to play two-time defending champion La Vega for the State title at San Antonio’s Alamodome. Decatur won 53-41.