GAME STORY: Wall uses suffocating defense to get past perennial power Idalou (box score included)

SNYDER — It may not have been the prettiest brand of basketball ever displayed. But Tuesday’s 35-25 win by the Wall Lady Hawks over Idalou in a Region I-3A DII semifinal, was in its own way, noteworthy. 

Using a crushing halfcourt defense which all but stymied the third-ranked Lady Cats, top-ranked Wall limited Idalou to six points or less in each of the first three quarters, all the while gradually building a nine-point lead to carry into the final period.

The cushion was more than enough for a Wall defense which had allowed a grand total of just five field goals through the first three quarters.

McKenzie Lopez had a game-high 19 points and Jewels Johnson added seven more to lead Wall (34-3), which advances to play Coahoma (34-1) for the regional title on Friday at 6 p.m. at Howard College.  Karsyn Lutrick finished with 14 points for Idalou, which closed its season at 30-5.

“We preach defense every single day,” Wall coach Silas Crisler said. “And when the challenge is at its highest and at its biggest moment, our kids continue to show up over and over again.”