Lady Eagles advance to regional quarterfinal

Sophomore+Angel+Hayden+plays+defense+against+the+Dumas+Demons+Jan.+27.+

Sarah Fruge

Sophomore Angel Hayden plays defense against the Dumas Demons Jan. 27.

The Lady Eagle basketball team traveled to Odessa Permian High School Feb. 20 to take on El Paso Bel Air. The Eagles won with a final score of 46-34 and will travel to Midland Classical Academy to play El Paso Burges in the regional quarterfinal Feb. 24 at 6:00 p.m.

The Lady Eagles have an overall record of 29-3 and a district record of 9-1, making them co-district champions with Hereford, who lost to El Paso Eastlake Feb. 20 to end their playoff run. Canyon has since earned a bi-district championship and the area championship. Senior Savannah Bartlett said the team will play well in the upcoming game because they have been preparing.

“We have grown a lot as a team all around,” Bartlett said. “We also have our goals written down so we are all on the same page.”

Sophomore Paitlyn Tankersley said a win can never be expected in the playoffs.

“If you underestimate someone they already have you beat,” Tankersley said. “The only thing that could be expected is that we will give our best.”

Tankersley said the playoffs are becoming more difficult as the team moves further in.

“Every game from now on is going to be harder than the one before, but that just makes us play to the best of our abilities and rely on one another,” Tankersley said. “Another thing I’ve learned is to celebrate the wins as they come, but focus on the big picture, a state championship.”