Lid on the rim

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Turnovers and shooting kept Livingston girls basketball from improving their record versus Tarkington Tuesday night, as the Lady Longhorns took a 44-37 contest in Lion Gym.

Down 8-2 to start the game, the Lady Lions scored seven straight to pull ahead by one. They would keep the contest close until the second half. The difference at halftime was two points. September Reece with nine points and Regan Lewis with six helped to keep the Lady Lion point total moving.

“We shot the ball poorly. Shots that we usually make were not falling,” Livingston coach John Papasideris said. “They were all shots that we are very capable of making. We are very impatient – it’s nerves.”

Livingston’s first contest with the Lady Longhorns was also a competitive game, with Tarkington winning by one.

Offensive struggles continued in the third quarter, when Livingston managed just one made shot from the field. Ball handlers were able to drive to the bucket and many attempts were within five feet. Several long passes were intercepted before reaching half court, limiting opportunities. 

“Before the game, I told him that we had a shot to sneak into the playoffs, but we needed to start winning basketball games,” Papasideris said. “I think the reality of the situation maybe rattled them or something. Our shooting was off, and we were having issues getting the ball on the other side of the court and setting up. We were in too much of a rush and didn't play our game the way we usually do.”

Leading the Lady Lions for the game was Lewis with 13 points, Reece with nine and Corinne Henderson with eight. For Tarkington, Layla Watson led with 15 and Monica Rodriguez had nine.

Livingston is now 1-6 in district play, but has won 10 games on the season, seven more than the team did last year. There is a three-way tie atop the district amongst Hardin-Jefferson, Liberty and Hamshire-Fannett, which are all 5-1.

Next up for Livingston is another battle against Longhorns in a trip to Hamshire-Fannett Friday.