The Taylor Lady Ducks varsity basketball team has opened the season with four straight losses, struggling to find an offensive rhythm against a tough early schedule.
Leander
Taylor opened the year with a 49-31 loss to Leander on Friday, Nov.
7, as the Lady Ducks’ offense never found a consistent footing. After falling behind 9-3 in the first quarter, Taylor clawed back to within 12-10 in the second following a fast-break layup from senior forward Tianna Candee.
Senior guard Aubriana Alderete knocked down multiple 3-pointers to keep the Ducks competitive, but Leander pulled away in the second half and built a 35-19 lead in the third quarter. Taylor was unable to recover and dropped its season opener.
Killeen
Taylor showed improvement offensively but fell 58-48 to Killeen on Tuesday, Nov. 11.
Alderete once again led the scoring effort with several makes from beyond the arc.
The Lady Ducks trailed 19-11 early, but Candee’s 3-pointer trimmed the deficit to 19-14. A scoring drought followed, allowing Killeen to rattle off a 9-0 run and take a 28-14 lead late in the second quarter.
Taylor responded with fast-break baskets to stay within striking distance and cut the margin to 30-26 early in the third. The Ducks entered the fourth down 40-36, but Killeen closed the game with an 11-2 run to pull away for good.
Rouse Tournament
The Lady Ducks dropped both games on the opening day of the Rouse Tournament on Thursday, Nov. 13, falling to Round Rock 45-25 and Boerne Champion 66-36.
Taylor continues to work through earlyseason growing pains on offense but is gaining valuable experience against high-level competition. The Lady Ducks resume tournament play over the weekend before returning home to face Little River Academy on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 6:15 p.m.
Taylor Ducks senior forward Tianna Candee pushes the ball down court in a regular season game. Photos by Larry Pelchat
Taylor Ducks senior guard Aubriana Alderete dribbles the ball in a regular-season game.
