Ferris sophomore Tatyana Williams scored 29 points in a Lady Yellowjacket win Friday against Life Waxahachie. (Fred Phipps/KBEC Sports)

Williams scores 29 to lead Ferris girls’ hoops over Life Waxahachie

Travis M. Smith January 17, 2020 Ferris High School, Girls Basketball, Life Waxahachie High School 2,530 Views

Travis M. Smith | KBEC Sports

Tatyana Williams poured in 29 points to lead the Ferris Lady Yellowjackets to a key district victory at home Friday against Life Waxahachie.

Though Williams scored just four points in the first quarter, Ferris carried a 23-8 lead into the second quarter and then 32-18 advantage into the half time break.

The sophomore guard then poured in 13 points in the third quarter to help Ferris close out the 62-39 District 17-4A win.

When asked how she thought she played, Williams told KBEC Sports that it was “OK.”

“I missed a lot of layups and a lot of free throws that I don’t usually miss,” Williams said. She added that the Lady Yellowjackets need to continue to work together because “we have good team chemistry.”

Ferris head girls’ basketball coach Melissa Fulmer noted that Williams also played great on the defensive end of the court.

“I thought our team played really well,” Fulmer said. “We played great defensively but did miss some easy shots and free throws. I think as a whole, the team defense was excellent and that is what allowed us to get the lead and maintain it. Our pressure was really good and I was pleased, overall, with our team defense.”

Lili Garcia added 17 points to the win, while Gloria Arreola scored five, Victoria Coronado and Amanda Aguinaga each chipped in four points, Rylee Yarborough had two and Ziria Wright finished with one.

“We just have to keep motivated and keep our drive. We finished fourth last year in this district, so we want to try and finish much better than that and will carry this into the weekend and next week,” said Fulmer of what her team needs to take away from the win. “We will try to get two wins next week and get a little winning streak and start the second round of district after next Friday.”

As for Life Waxahachie, senior guard Micah Cooper scored her 1,000th career point on a free throw in the second quarter. She finished the game with a team-high 12 points, scoring eight of those in the first half.

Saige Cook added nine points, while Anazia Smith had six, Kinzy Thomas scored four, Mylah People had two and Leah Sneed scored one.

“We just have to make sure that our girls are more aggressive in practice and that it translates to the game,” Life Waxahachie head girls’ basketball coach Brandy Goodman told KBEC Sports. “I have to make sure that the same team that I see at practice shows ups and brings that same effort out here.”

The first-year Life Waxahachie head coach added, “We have to make sure that we speed up our gameplay and cut down on our turnovers and make better decisions.”

UP NEXT

Ferris improved to 14-11 on the season and 2-1 in District 17-4A with the win. The Lady Yellowjackets return to action at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday at home against Venus.

The Lady Mustangs fell to 1-2 in 17-4A and return to the hardwood at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday at home against Alvarado.