Even after graduating heavy last year, Santa Gertrudis Academy High School’s young varsity girls basketball team clinched its second consecutive District 32-2A title by annihilating Premont, 44-13, on Tuesday.

Scoring for the Lady Lions were Kacee Ritter (10), Adrianna Colunga (10), Priscilla Carrillo (seven), Maranda Gonzalez (six), Tiffany Trevino (six), Ruby Alaniz (two) and Sandy Olivarez (two).

“Losing so much experience from last year’s team proved to be an uphill battle for us this season,” Head Coach Martin Gonzalez said. “This team has grown and come a very long way. Tuesday’s win proves that hard work and dedication pays off.”

Academy (11-1 in district, 16-4 overall) previously rolled over Santa Rosa, 61-26, on Friday, Jan. 27. Priscilla Carrillo led her team with 33 points. Also hitting buckets for SGAHS were Ruby Alaniz (14 points), Kacee Ritter (five), Vanessa Colunga (three), Maranda Gonzalez (three) and Sandi Olivarez (one).

“We came out on fire,” Gonzalez said. “Solid defense and good offensive play helped us build a 22-point lead in the first quarter. After that huge lead, we never looked back. Everyone contributed in that game.”

The Lady Lions clipped Falfurrias 38-33 on Tuesday, Jan. 20. Academy scored 11 points in the first quarter, 10 in the second, seven in the third and 10 in the fourth.

Making baskets for the Lady Lions were Priscilla Carrillo (15 points), Adrianna Colunga (eight), Kacee Ritter (six), Vanessa Colunga (two), Robin Cavazos (two) and Maranda Gonzalez (two).

“It was a tough game against Falfurrias,” Gonzalez said. “We came out strong, but came out sluggish in the second half to make it a close game. Falfurrias played well but our girls held strong and hit key free throws and played solid defense down the stretch to pull out the victory. I knew it was going to be a good game going in. Falfurrias was one game behind us in the standings and needed to beat us to be tied for the district lead.”

Academy’s junior varsity and varsity girls basketball teams conclude their regular season by hosting Riviera-Kaufer at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Santa Gertrudis Junior High School’s seventh and eighth grade girls basketball teams finish their season by hosting De la Paz Middle School at 5 p.m. on Monday.