Sports > Schools
Vital experience: Past proving beneficial for Lady Bobcats
BY Chris O’Dell, codell@starlocalnews.com
It’s no secret that past playoff experience can be beneficial in the postseason.
That has been especially true for several Celina players during the team’s recent march to the regional semifinals after advancing to the Class 3A State Championship a year ago.
“Any experience you can take with you is good throughout the playoffs,” said Jordan Davis, Celina head coach.
Headlining the group of returners is junior guard Sarah Cantu and sophomore forward KJ Stastny, who played vital roles for the Lady Bobcats last season. The two standouts have helped fill in for graduated guards Kynzie Newman and Presley Stastny.
“Losing all the seniors we did, we were definitely going to have to have someone step up,” Davis said. “The girls have done that.”
Cantu has taken over as the team’s No. 1 option on offense, leading them in scoring in each of Celina’s first three playoff contests this season. The junior has averaged 19 points per game, including a 24-point outburst during an area-round victory against Melissa on Friday.
Cantu’s 24-point affair put Celina into a Tuesday matchup against Madison with a trip to the regional semifinals on the line. Madison, who knocked off District 10-3A champion Lone Star during the bi-district round, witnessed Celina’s experience first hand.
Trailing by six points near the two-minute mark of the fourth quarter, the Lady Bobcats stormed back and evened the game at 54-54 before using an 11-2 run in overtime to clinch the victory.
“We definitely knew how good Lone Star was,” Davis said. “When Madison beat Lone Star the girls were probably glad we didn’t have to play Lone Star for the third time.”
Tuesday’s win put Celina into a 6 p.m. Friday contest against Pittsburg from Texas A&M-Commerce University. Davis described Pittsburg as “big and physical” which could give the 5-foot-10 Stastny a crucial role on both ends of the floor.
“I think we’re going to have to be big inside and try some different things,” Davis said.
Celina enters the contest with a 28-6 mark. It will take a 30-6 record if the Lady Bobcats are to reach the state tournament once again.
That has been especially true for several Celina players during the team’s recent march to the regional semifinals after advancing to the Class 3A State Championship a year ago.
“Any experience you can take with you is good throughout the playoffs,” said Jordan Davis, Celina head coach.
Headlining the group of returners is junior guard Sarah Cantu and sophomore forward KJ Stastny, who played vital roles for the Lady Bobcats last season. The two standouts have helped fill in for graduated guards Kynzie Newman and Presley Stastny.
“Losing all the seniors we did, we were definitely going to have to have someone step up,” Davis said. “The girls have done that.”
Cantu has taken over as the team’s No. 1 option on offense, leading them in scoring in each of Celina’s first three playoff contests this season. The junior has averaged 19 points per game, including a 24-point outburst during an area-round victory against Melissa on Friday.
Cantu’s 24-point affair put Celina into a Tuesday matchup against Madison with a trip to the regional semifinals on the line. Madison, who knocked off District 10-3A champion Lone Star during the bi-district round, witnessed Celina’s experience first hand.
Trailing by six points near the two-minute mark of the fourth quarter, the Lady Bobcats stormed back and evened the game at 54-54 before using an 11-2 run in overtime to clinch the victory.
“We definitely knew how good Lone Star was,” Davis said. “When Madison beat Lone Star the girls were probably glad we didn’t have to play Lone Star for the third time.”
Tuesday’s win put Celina into a 6 p.m. Friday contest against Pittsburg from Texas A&M-Commerce University. Davis described Pittsburg as “big and physical” which could give the 5-foot-10 Stastny a crucial role on both ends of the floor.
“I think we’re going to have to be big inside and try some different things,” Davis said.
Celina enters the contest with a 28-6 mark. It will take a 30-6 record if the Lady Bobcats are to reach the state tournament once again.
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