Mansfield girls can't stop MacArthur's talent
By: By Jarret Johnson
ARLINGTON -- The Mansfield Lady Tigers did not play a bad game Tuesday night; they just drew defending UIL state champion Irving MacArthur in the first round.
The top-ranked Cardinals (32-2) took their first step toward defending their title by knocking off Mansfield 81-53 in a Class 5A Region I bi-district game at Arlington Lamar High School.
MacArthur point guard Alexis Jones, a Duke recruit, showed why she is considered by many to be one of the top high school players in the country.
Jones, a senior, filled up the stat sheet with 26 points, nine assists, five steals and three blocks despite sitting the last half of the fourth quarter with the game in hand.
"The thing about this team and what makes Alexis Jones so good is that she does get everybody involved," MacArthur coach Suzie Oelschlegel said. "This team doesn't care who scores or who gets the rebound, they just want our team to be successful and win. That's what makes Alexis such a complete player, because she gets everybody involved."
It doesn't hurt that Jones has talented players to distribute the ball to.
Texas State recruit Ayriel Anderson added 19 points for MacArthur by making two 3-pointers, knifing in the paint for runners and going to the rim on the fast break.
Senior forward Khoria Newman showed her complete game as well by hitting four shots from behind the arc and grabbing six rebounds for the Cardinals.
Cierra Robinson did much of the dirty work inside the paint with 11 rebounds and three blocks for MacArthur.
Senior guard Keyra-Sue Johnson finished with 26 points, six rebounds and four steals to lead Mansfield (22-13).
The Cardinals will play Keller (27-6) in the second round at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Colleyville Heritage.
"We came out very strong, ready to play," Jones said.
"When everybody's scoring like that you have to keep giving them the ball to keep it going. It's going to take a team effort every game so we are just going to take it step by step."