Midland Christian’s Strong Performance in a Challenging Week

The No. 1-ranked Midland Christian girls basketball team faced a tough schedule after the holiday break, testing their skills and resilience. Over the course of the week, the Lady Mustangs played five games in the big school bracket of the Caprock Classic and then took on a district game against No. 5 Fort Worth Southwest Christian.

Their performance was impressive, especially in a 41-27 win over the Lady Eagles in a TAPPS 1-5A contest at the McGraw Event Center on Saturday. This victory marked their second district win in as many days and helped them end the week with a 6-1 record after winning the consolation championship at the Caprock Classic.

Key Players and Team Effort

Sophomore guard Jordan Stokes was a standout performer for Midland Christian, scoring 13 points and grabbing seven rebounds. Selah Fox contributed eight points and seven rebounds, while Lauren Alvizo added seven points. Jordyn Hamilton had 10 rebounds and four points, showcasing the team’s depth and versatility.

Head coach Katie Osborn praised the team’s effort, noting the challenges of playing seven games in six days. “That’s a lot on our legs,” she said. “It’s just a lot of basketball, especially over a holiday season. They’re gritty. They are willing to do whatever it takes for each other whenever they step on the floor.”

Stokes echoed her coach’s sentiments, saying, “I think we handled this challenge really well because coming back from playing a lot of games is really hard.”

Defensive Dominance

Southwest Christian came into the game with a solid defensive strategy, holding Midland Christian to only 16 points in the first half. The Lady Eagles used zone defenses to limit the Lady Mustangs’ scoring opportunities. However, Midland Christian adjusted in the second half, taking control with a strong offensive push.

With 2 minutes and 50 seconds left in the game, Alvizo scored a fast-break layup off a rebound by Stokes, giving the Lady Mustangs a 41-22 lead. This moment highlighted the team’s ability to adapt and execute under pressure.

Osborn acknowledged the difficulty of facing different defensive schemes but noted that the team eventually settled into their game plan. “We did have a tough time kind of settling into that, but once we settled in, we were fine. They are a great team. We’re just glad we were able to play harder.”

Defensive Strength

The MCS defense was the key factor in the game, as they held Southwest Christian without a field goal for nearly 20 minutes. The Lady Eagles scored two layups in the first minute of the game but didn’t score another field goal until the 3:05 mark of the third quarter.

“We really pride ourselves off our man defense,” Osborn said. “Kind of getting after people. We did exactly what our game plan was today and the girls, they just play really hard and they have each other’s back.”

Stokes added, “In the locker room that’s what coach told us, don’t let them get in the paint. Just keep them out. Just play good defense.”

Upcoming Matchup

Midland Christian will face another quick turnaround as they travel to Lubbock Trinity Christian for a game at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

Game Stats

Southwest Christian (20-5, 2-1):

Makay Campbell 7, Maley Campbell 10, Ally Schultz 5, Jemma Barnes 3, Dylan Britting 2

Midland Christian (17-6, 2-0):

Mallory West 2, Lauren Alvizo 7, Jordan Stokes 13, Jordyn Hamilton 4, Selah Fox 8, Trinity Etheredge 3, Addy Tatsch 4

Scoring Summary:

Southwest Christian – 4, 4, 9, 10 = 27

Midland Christian – 7, 9, 10, 15 = 41

Free Throws:

Southwest Christian – 7-11

Midland Christian – 14-22

3-Point Goals:

Southwest Christian – 4 (Maley Campbell 2, Makay Campbell, Schultz)

Midland Christian – 5 (Alvizo, Stokes, Fox, Etheredge, Tatsch)

Total Fouls:

Southwest Christian – 16

Midland Christian – 11

Fouled Out: None

Technical Fouls: Southwest Christian bench (2)