By Grant Miller

The Lady Commodores advanced to the second round of regionals after defeating Woodside High School 55-39.

After a gridlock in the first half, Maury’s halftime adjustments blew the game open because they returned to the team play that led to their strong season.

“We just made some adjustments on defense,” said Head Coach Julius Owens. “In the locker room we realized that we weren’t playing team ball. We [were] playing individual ball. After that, we just started picking it up.”

Team ball has been working for the Lady Commodores. They finished the season 16-4, three of their players made the All-District Team (Nyla Brown, Sarajane Walker, and Zoe Redel), and guard Lamari Budd earned District Player of the Year honors.

“We’re playing better team ball than years before,” Owens said. “They’re buying in, not that the team didn’t buy in before, but this year the girls really bought into what we’re doing here at Maury. That’s why we’re successful.”

Against Woodside Saturday night, Budd led all scorers with 23 points in three quarters. Brown added 15 and Walker contributed 10. Brown and Walker combined for 13 points in the fourth quarter.

Maury will play against top-seeded Menchville Tuesday, Feb. 24.