Big quarter fuels Stallions’ win

The Madera South Stallions girls basketball team rode a 21-2 second quarter to upend the Edison-Fresno Tigers 50-44 in a County/Metro Athletic Conference game.

Although Madera South secured a big victory at home, the team is still undergoing a learning process, Stallions head coach Johnny Sharp said.

“I’m trying to create competition in my practices, so I didn’t play a couple players,” he said. “With the competition, we’ve been playing better ourselves.”

Lexi Eller and Aleecia Rosel combined for 27 points in the Stallions’ tough CMAC victory Wednesday. Whether it was shooting from deep or attacking the basket, the duo powered Madera South to a big home win.

Although Madera South opened the game on the wrong foot, outscored 14-5 in the first quarter, they rebounded in dramatic fashion.

The second quarter flipped the game upside down. Madera South erupted for a 21-2 run that practically put the game to bed.

Jones’s Feliu scored all of her seven points in the second quarter, along with a combined 10 from Rosel and Eller. Their relentless pressure on Edison’s defense allowed them to find quality looks.

Madera South entered the break leading 10, 26-16, and carried their momentum the rest of the way.

Although the Stallions were in control a majority of the game, the Tigers staged a fierce comeback.

With three minutes remaining, the Tigers cut the deficit to three after they were down by 11 to begin the quarter.

Madera South had consecutive turnovers, which allowed the Tigers to capitalize on their opponent’s mistakes. They tied the game late, although that was as close as they could get.

After a timeout, the Stallions rallied. They missed a slew of shots down the stretch, however their rebounding allowed them to hold off the charging Tigers.

Madera South wrapped up the victory and moved on to Friday’s battle with Sanger.