The Lady Eagle basketball team will play Bryan Rudder High School 7 p.m. March 5 at the Alamo Dome in San Antonio after winning the regional tournament Feb 27-28 in Snyder. The winner of the game against Bryan Rudder will advance to the state championship game.

With the Eagles’ 25th appearance at state, the Lady Eagles hold the state record for the most trips to the state tournament.Head coach Joe Lombard said the team is excited to be playing in the state tournament this year.

“The young ladies have worked extremely hard for the past year to get ready for this moment,” Lombard said. “It takes dedication and determination to be a state champion.  Talent is important but never enough to win on this level.”

Canyon played their first regional game against Wichita Falls Rider. The Lady Eagles were ahead at the end of every quarter, but never by more than three points. Canyon won 48-46 in overtime with a buzzer-beater by Caitlyn Cunyus.

“Rider has been ranked in the top ten this year,” Lombard said. “The game was a nail-biter with both teams in foul trouble.”

Canyon won the regional final against Trimble Tech with a final score of 55-49. Lombard said the Eagles played one of their better games of the year. Junior Caitlyn Cunyus was named to the all-tournament team and sophomore Angel Hayden was named the tournament MVP.

“It was a great feeling and I was very excited, but I didn’t expect it at all,” Hayden said. “I couldn’t have won the award without my teammates’ help.”

Hayden said the team’s success is due mostly to the bond the team shares and how it affects the way players treat each other on and off the court.

“I believe if we weren’t a family, we would not have come this far,” Hayden said. “I’m looking forward to the rest of the journey and spending time with my team before the journey ends. No matter what happens, this has been a great season because of the girls.”

Hayden said she expects to advance to the state finals and thinks it is possible for the Lady Eagles to walk away with the championship. If  the team wins their semi-final game, they may face Vista Ridge in the final game.

“Vista Ridge is the consensus number one team all year,” Lombard said, “But don’t count out the Lady Eagles.”