Competition between teammates has this squad gunning for a long playoff run

There’s no contest when it comes to scoring. Senior guard Jasmyne Robinson is the Arlington Bowie girls basketball team’s undisputed leader in putting the ball in the basket.

But Robinson, who’s signed with North Texas, is going to have to hold off a legitimate challenger when it comes to the title of Lady Volunteers’ top rebounder. After a 63-6 victory against Fort Worth Paschal on Dec. 15, Robinson and junior Jada Williams were neck and neck at bringing down the most boards.

The little competitions between teammates help keep Bowie players enthused and playing to their full potential — whether they’re breezing through the first two district games or facing a stiff test from the likes of Martin or North Crowley.

“She’s ahead of me in rebounds,” said Robinson, who tallied a game-high 14 points and eight rebounds against Paschal. “We just go back and forth about it. We have fun with it.”

Williams’ and Robinson’s teammate Felicity Houston is also in on the fun. The senior point guard is shooting more than in the past. Houston deferred to skilled shooters last season, but she’s increasingly opting for the shot instead of the pass when defenders leave her open.

“If I couldn’t score the way I wanted to, I figured I should get my teammates open for shots,” Houston said. “I figured this is my last year, I should play different.”

With Robinson and Houston’s scoring success and Robinson and Williams’ rebounding prowess, Bowie’s eying a deeper playoff run than the third-round wall the Lady Vols have hit in recent seasons.

“It’s not like we lose by a lot,” Houston said. “It’s by like two or three.”

When it comes to turning those small deficits into leads, Bowie could learn a lot from Williams’ mindset on the boards.

“I just always want it,” said Williams, who averages seven rebounds a game. “I go get it. I just always box out.”

The roster lists Williams at 5-foot-7, but she cops to only being about 5-5 and a half. But her attitude and technique go a long way toward overcoming any height disadvantages.

“It’s about aggression,” Williams said.

Robinson’s similarly aggressive with her offense: she takes — and makes — open shots. And when a defender tries to play her up close, she’s adept at driving past her to the basket.

“We know if she’s open around the 3-point line, she’s going to take it and make it,” Houston said.

Houston’s learned from Robinson’s lead.

“I get all my teammates involved,” Houston said. “I just feel like if I see an open shot I should take it.”

Whether it’s shooting, passing or rebounding, Robinson, Williams and Houston are pushing each other to be their best. And those friendly competitions are paying dividends for the Lady Vols. The team’s bent on reaching its potential.

“I feel like it’s my senior year,” Houston said. “I have to play up to my potential that I’ve previously held back on.”

This story was originally published December 21, 2017 at 12:02 PM with the headline "Competition between teammates has this squad gunning for a long playoff run."