Lady Demons Survive NMMI adding to their Winning Record at 14-6

Lauren Bogle

CCSR Sports Writer

After struggling in the first half, the Lady Demons go into the locker room at the half with a five-point lead on Monday night.

“The first half was slow and ugly,” Dexter’s head coach Kim Hamill said, “but it was a Monday game with two days off, and they fought threw it. I was proud.”

Dexter put away NMMI to finish with a 60-42 victory at home.

Celina Molina dives for the loose ball. CCSR Photo Lauren Bogle

The twins held their own with Tamara Salas scoring 14 points and Tabatha Salas accounting for 10 points. Adding a spark for the Lady Demons was Alex Zambrano with eight aggressive points in the paint.

Tabatha Salas downs a long jumper. CCSR Photo Lauren Bogle

“Tabatha knocked down some really good shots when we needed them,” Hamill said, “and everyone in the second half played better.”

After a dominant game against Hagerman, Bianca Walker was shut down in the first half, but came away with 15 points.

“Walker is going to get hers. She is tough defensively and offensively,” Hamill said. “First half we didn’t do a good job, but the book looks like we did shut her down, and a lot of that has to do with Hannah Manemann matched up with her pretty well.”

Hannah Manemann drills the short jumper against Bianca Walker. CCSR Photo Lauren Bogle

Zambrano said guarding Walker was extremely difficult, but she focused on consistently boxing out.

“Dexter did a great job guarding Bianca,” Lady Colt’s head coach Marisha Olesinski said.

Olesinski said Bianca Walker and Lia Herrera is the engine for their team. Olesinski said Herrera is taking the ball down the court, and doing a great job. She said it just was not enough tonight, but they did all they could and she is proud of her team.

“Whenever Alex wants to be tough, she can be,” Hamill said. “She did a really good job at the front of the press.”

Alex Zambrano guards the front of their press. CCSR Photo Lauren Bogle

The Lady Demons pressed NMMI all four quarters forcing pressure and turnovers against the Lady Colts.

“First half I think we played pretty good,” Olesinski said. “Dexter is a tough team, and I have to give them credit today. They pressed us the whole time.”

Hamill said defense wins championships, and her team keeps repeating that motto all season. She said when their press is executed effectively; it is easy points for their team.

The Lady Demons press the NMMI Lady Colts all four quarters. CCSR Photo Lauren Bogle

“Our defense is what always helps us in the game,” Tabatha Salas said, “and we forced momentum for them to turn the ball over.”

Olesinski said her team could not finish easy layups or shots in the second half. She said they fought hard and did their best. The Lady Colts are also struggling with depth on the bench.

“We are very short at the bench, and we have to try and make a few adjustments with a small team,” Olesinski said.

Even though Dexter got off to a slow start, Hamill said a win is a win. She said their record is the best it has been in quite a few years.

“What we take away from this game is we play Eunice tomorrow, and we worked through some things today to get ready for Eunice,” Hamill said. “Eunice is always a tough one.”

Tamara Salas fast breaks for an easy layup. CCSR Photo Lauren Bogle

Hannah Manemann with a block. CCSR Photo Lauren Bogle