Lady Rattlers move on to the fourth round by a mere 3 points.
Tuesday, February 18, the Lady Rattlers defeated the Vandergrift Vipers in Austin and they’re on to the fourth round. The last time our Lady Rattlers made it past the first round of the playoffs was during the 2014-15 season. Exactly 10 years ago this year.
With the addition of new head coach, Cooper Haralson, there were high hopes for this season. The team motto was even “Unfinished Business”. Before coming to San Marcos, Coach Haralson had a job as the head coach of the boys basketball team at Luling High School. As he transitioned to San Marcos he was made one of the many football coaches. In 2023, former head coach Jermaine Ervin brought in Haralson to help coach all teams. Soon enough, he was moved as permanent head coach.
The Lady Rattlers had an excellent district season ending in a 9-3 record. Haralson would always tell him how he thought this team of girls were special and that they are capable of accomplishing big things. He would always push them to be the best. His coaching style was different from what they had gotten for the past couple years. It changed the players for the better.
Going into the season, the lady rattlers knew that their only competition was going to be Judson and Steele. They ended up falling short to Judson both times during the season. Steele was a must win for the lady rattlers since it was the team that former coach went to after he left smcisd. They humiliated the knights at their first meeting, but ended up falling short in the second meet, which was the first game without stars, Ezra Tobias and Ayleceia Pierson.
The Lady Rattlers faced Loredo Alexander in the first round of the playoffs- again without Ezra and Ayleceia- and were able to get the win by 3 points. The team worked together and fought hard to get the win.
Ezra and Ayleceia got to return just in time to face the Harlingen Cardinals in round two. The girls absolutely dominated. They were winning by ten at the end of just about every quarter. We ended up winning 61-45.
The Lady Rattlers faced off against the Vandergrift Vipers on Tuesday February 18th. The game was very close, almost tied for the majority of the time. The girls put in some amazing defensive efforts and frustrated the heck out of the other team. We pulled out the win (46-49) towards the last couple minutes of the game thanks to Ezra’s clutch free throws!
Our Lady Rattlers have fought their way into the Elite 8. This had not been accomplished since 1992. This Friday, February 21, we will face the Churchill Chargers in San Antonio. Tip off will start at 8pm at the Dub Farris Athletic Complex. Rattler up baby. Let’s get this win.
