The Madisonville women’s basketball team began league play Tuesday in Mexia after concluding their non-district slate with a 55-36 win in Navasota Dec. 30. Olyvia Brooks led the Lady Mustangs in scoring in the victorywith 16 points.

“Leading up to that game, we were fully expecting (Navasota) to come out with great athleticism and be well-coached, and they did just that,” said head coach Monique Whittaker. “I just feel like our girls are really hitting their stride right now. They are playing some good basketball and playing together.”

Madisonville jumped out to an early 17-8 advantage thanks in large part to nine first quarter points from Brooks. They held Navasota to just five points in the second quarter before pulling away in the third with a 20-point splurge.

“It was a pretty close game, but in that third quarter we were hitting shots and playing very aggressive defense,” said Whittaker. “We were getting touches on passes and we push the girls to do that. Defense creates good offense. They are starting to see that and like how it feels.”

Brooks was followed in the scoring category by Ke’Myreul Wheaton with 11 points and Makayla Ford and Tra’Shayla Smith with 10 apiece.

“Each game brings out a different weakness and strength that we have to build on,” said Whittaker. ‘We need to continue to be aggressive. Right now, I am really pushing the girls to get a hand on the ball, get a touch on a pass and get into the passing lane. We can compete with the best of them as far as athleticism and we have good skills.”

The team opened district with a matchup in Mexia Tuesday and will host La Vega at MHS Friday. It will be the first of 10 district games that include bouts with Robinson, China Spring and Connally.

“The great thing about getting those preseason games in is that we see so many different types of teams,” said Whittaker. “We’ve seen teams like Mexia and we’ve seen teams like a China Spring or Robinson. What they do well is whatwe do well. They are very aggressive and athletic with great traditions. It is expected of them to come out and win. That is exactly the position we are in.”

It will be the team’s first action against the new district after the realignment in February.

“It is going to be fun,” said Whittaker. “We have two really tough teams coming out, but we have a really tough district. I think for our girls, being young, that will help them keep that same mindset. We have to know what they are good at and what they do well.”