The Laura Zouzalik era at Connally High School has gotten off to a great start as the Lady Cougars improved to 5-2 last Friday with a 56-40 victory over the Hutto Lady Hippos (5-3).

“That was an unbelievable effort by everybody on the team,” Zouzalik said. “I was pleased with the defensive effort. Hutto likes to run and gun and we did a good job adjusting and cutting off their fast break. Genea Rucker did an outstanding job defending Haylea Jackson”

Hutto managed to hold their own for the first eight minutes of play as they held a 15-13 lead after the first quarter. That lead would not last long however as the Lady Cougars took the lead 20-17 with five minutes remaining in the half. The Cougars held that lead until the closing minute of the half when Hutto regained the lead going into the half up 26-25.

Connally’s quickness began to wear on Hutto as Connally kept the pressure on the Lady Hippos all evening long with their running offense and pressing defense in the front court. Connally penetrated the lane all night long and took the shot if available but did not hesitate to dish out to an open player on the perimeter. The third quarter ended on just such a play when Jerrell got an assist after her drive to the basket drew in the Hutto defense leaving Alexis Hardin open for an easy basket.

The Lady Cougars outscored the Lady Hippos 16-4 in the third quarter thanks to two 8-0 runs during the period. The Cougars regained the lead early in the second half when they started out the third quarter with an 8-0 run to go up 33-26. Hutto responded by scoring four quick points to pull to within 33-30 ,but the Lady Cougars went on their second 8-0 run in the quarter to gain control of the game and extend their lead to 41-30.

The fourth quarter was the Kali Jerrell show as her 10 points equaled the output of the entire Hutto team.

Jerrell led the Cougars in scoring with 24 points. Dukes added 11. Brittany Roberts (nine points), Genea Rucker (six points), Alexis Hardin (two points), Kara Babola (two points), and Autumn Shead (two points) rounded out the balanced Connally offensive attack.