STAFF PHOTO BY STEPHANIE KENIGSBERG Going up Savannah Ortiz, a Brundrett Middle School eighth grader, goes up for two points during a Nov. 30 game against Yorktown. Brundrett Middle School Lady Marlins split seventh-grade and eighth-grade games at Yorktown on Monday, Nov. 30, but even the loss drew good remarks from Coach Javier Mendoza.

The seventh-graders easily outscored the Wildcats, moving to an 18-2 lead by halftime and ending with a 32-6 victory.

Summer Hernandez led the Port Aransas scoring with 14 points, followed by Emily Roberson and Madison Ray, with 8 each, and Jasmine Clark with 2.

“Our girls were aggressive on defense and on offense,” Mendoza said. “The girls attacked the basket. It was the girls’ first game of the year, and they were excited, so they played hard.”

Scoring by halves

The eighth-grade girls never quite took control of the game, trailing 4-6 at the end of the first quarter and not making up that deficit. They lost, 26-29.

Savannah Ortiz led the scoring with 14, followed by Kellie Owens and Morgan Milligan with 4 each and Vivian Frank and Susana Valdivia with 2 apiece.

“The eighth-grade girls played more aggressively than their last game, which led to improvements on both sides of the court,” Mendoza said. “The girls played like they were having fun. Once we get everyone on the same page, things will get even better.”

Score by quarters