The Lake Belton girls' basketball team hosted Temple High on Senior Night in an emotional and hard-fought contest. Despite a late fourth-quarter rally, the Lady Broncos came up short, losing 40-32. The night also served as a celebration of Lake Belton’s three seniors: guard Natalie Maldonado (#11), guard Aniya Victorian (#25), and team manager Kennidi Flemming, who were honored for their contributions to the program.
Game Recap
The game opened with a defensive battle, as both teams struggled to find their rhythm offensively. Lake Belton trailed 9-6 after the first quarter and went into halftime down 18-13 after Temple edged them 9-7 in the second period.
The third quarter proved to be the turning point, as Temple outscored Lake Belton 14-7 to take a commanding 32-20 lead. The Lady Broncos refused to back down, however, mounting a spirited comeback in the final quarter. With a strong defensive effort and improved offensive execution, they outscored Temple 12-8 in the fourth but ultimately ran out of time.
Individual Performances
Junior Alexa King (#10) led the Lady Broncos with 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists, putting in an all-around effort on both ends of the floor. Senior Natalie Maldonado added 5 points, including a critical three-pointer, while also tallying 3 steals and 6 deflections in her 30 minutes of play.
Ariella Polley (#4) chipped in with 5 points and led the team with 6 rebounds. Jordan Carter (#12) came off the bench to score 4 points on perfect shooting and added 3 deflections to her stat line. Aniya Victorian contributed 2 points and 3 rebounds.
Honoring the Seniors
The evening began with a heartfelt tribute to the team’s three seniors. Guards Natalie Maldonado and Aniya Victorian were praised for their leadership and dedication on the court, while team manager Kennidi Flemming was recognized for her invaluable contributions behind the scenes.
What’s Next
The Lady Broncos won’t have much time to dwell on the loss, as they’ll be back in action on Thursday at 8 AM in the Salado Tournament. The tournament provides an opportunity to regroup and build momentum for the rest of the season.
Though the final score didn’t go their way, Senior Night was a reminder of the lasting legacy of Lake Belton’s graduating leaders, whose contributions will continue to inspire the program for years to come.
