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high school sportsBasketball

Zero points in first quarter can't derail West Mesquite girls in bi-district win over Centennial

GARLAND — After a scoreless first quarter — and a deadlocked score after three — West Mesquite found its rhythm en route to a 54-46 win Tuesday over Frisco Centennial (28-9) in the girls Class 4A Region II bi-district playoff game at Garland’s Naaman Forest.

The 13-0 deficit had coach Darrin Samuels in a hole, but strong second-quarter efforts from guards Regina Garrett and Alexus Bertrand pulled West Mesquite even, 17-17, at the end of the first half.

“If you panic, your kids will panic,” Samuels said. “We had to win ugly.”

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After the shots started falling, which did not happen until a second free throw attempt in the second quarter, West Mesquite (26-9) started picking up the pace and controlling the game defensively, with University of San Francisco signee Claudia Price taking care of the rebounding and finishing with a team-high 13 points.

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Centennial’s McKenzie Adams scored 13 of her game-high 28 points in the third quarter.

Entering the fourth quarter, the score was tied at 34. West Mesquite’s Trynise Knight caught fire, scoring nine quick points to put the game out of reach.

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“We told her don’t finish feeling like you missed six shots in a row from the same spot; move around a little,” Samuels said.

Knight finished with 11 points.

West Mesquite will play Lincoln in the area round.