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The Lady Cards’ basketball team has displayed the composure needed to make a deep run into the postseason with their play so far. Columbus has been one of the stronger teams in the state all season, and they have proven that with several blowout wins in the playoffs, as well as some tight games that could not be decided until the final moments. The Lady Cards have survived and advanced all the way to the state semifinals, just one game from reaching the program’s first ever state-title appearance. They have made history along the way as each round they survive marks the furthest the Columbus Lady Cards have reached in the UIL state playoffs. They continued their historical run last week with back-to-back close-game victories to reach the semis.
Vs Aransas Pass, W, 63-59 The Lady Cards survived a tough battle against a team with a different offensive dynamic than any other opponent they have faced this season. Columbus withstood two 20-point scoring games from opposing players, the first time this season two different players have scored 20 or more in the same game against the Lady Cards. Columbus countered with their own offensive prowess and physical advantages.
They dominated in the second period with what was by far their best scoring quarter. They scored 21 points and entered halftime with a 3523 lead. Aransas Pass started their comeback in fourth after playing the third period to a 16-16 draw. A number of threes by the opponent cut the Columbus lead, but the Lady Cards missed just two of their eight free throws while also getting a few clutch buckets from Bailey Gustus and Ally Tribe to hold on to the win.
Tribe and Gustus finished as the top scorers for the Lady Cards, finishing with 19 points and 15 points respectively. Karlee Mathis and Treasure Upson got their buckets in as well with 12 and 11 points respectively.
Vs Lytle, W, 62-59
Columbus once again faced off against a unique offensive composition in the Regional Finals against the Lytle Lady Pirates, the sister team to the squad that beat out the Cardinals earlier in the week. Like the boys, the Lady Cards faced off against a dynamic individual player that created matchup problems throughout. The Lady Pirates finished with a near 40-point scorer as Valentina Ayla scored 39 points against Columbus, including a 16-point fourth quarter.
Columbus responded with a big game individually as well. Ally Tribe scored 28 points to lead the Lady Cards, punctuated by a huge 13-point quarter in the third period. The third quarter turned out to be a crucial period for Columbus as they outscored Lytle 22-10 in the period to take a 47-39 lead into the fourth. The Lady Cards did just enough to hold on for the victory at the end.
Outside of Tribe’s offensive explosion, Treasure Upson also had a big game with 16 points as the team’s next leading scorer. Madyson Carter and Karlee Mathis scored seven points each to assist in claiming the Regional Championship.
