ELGIN — The Elgin Lady Wildcats will have to defeat Lockhart on the the road next week in order to make the playoffs for the first time in 18 years.
Elgin was defeated by the No. 13 Hays Lady Rebels 69-50 Friday night in Wildcat Gym.
The Rebel defense completely dominated the game, as a subdued Elgin team scored only three points in the second quarter and trailed 30-15 at the half. Among their numerous steals, the Lady Rebels also produced seven blocks, and out-rebounded the Lady cats 26-15.
Desarae Couthren lead the team with eight points and two rebounds in the second half, but her efforts were not enough to propel Elgin to a comeback. Elgin’s Tiffany Wong was completely smothered by the Rebel defense, her only offensive stat in the second half being a rebound after scoring six points in the first quarter.
Friday’s loss will not end Elgin’s quest to end its  playoff drought, so long as they can produce a win tuesday night against a Lockhart team that is 0-10 in district this season.
The Hays defense put the clamps on team-leading scorer Jasmine Simmons (10.1 points per game) to just four points, with all coming from the free-throw line.