The varsity girls basketball team advanced to the area round of the playoffs by securing a 61-33 win against Crocket, Monday, Feb. 11.

“Being is the playoffs is twice as hard, the teams are not easy,” junior Mariah Merriweather said. “It’s more work than a normal game. Playoffs are serious and I take it seriously.”

The game started off with the raiders up by 6 in the first quarter. They kept the lead at the half they were up by 9. In the third quarter they were able to expand the lead scoring 21 points to Crockett’s 3.

“The third quarter is the time that decides who wins the game,” junior Korvette Philips said. “I wanted to go out and keep the lead that we had. I had to keep everyone on the same level; I told them to be calm but controlled aggression.”

According to the head coach Lori McDonald, Philips led the team in the third quarter and is responsible for the momentum shift that occurred. During the game, Philips scored 14 points and 9 rebounds. 

“We huddled and I told them to take emphasize not to get out there and hurry or rush,” Philips said. “The game is ours we don’t have to rush anything. On the court when a mistake is made it’s important to stay positive and pick them up and tell them what they can do better and how to fix it.”

The girls had a huge win in their first game and as they head into the second round they are preparing for harder and harder games. They spent the week watching videos and trying to improve the mistakes that they have made in the past.

“It’s a lot of pressure once you make it to the playoffs to win that first game,” McDonald said. “Making it is one thing, wining is on a different level. I have been telling the girls since we knew they deserve the success and validation. To make it to the playoffs is to become a part of history and that makes it extra special.”

They will play the second round game against Clemens High School at 7 p.m. at San Marcos High School, Thursday, Feb. 14.