An arctic blast could not stop these Lipan girls, now they see a path to playing for a state title

David Montesino

When these girls from Lipan were stranded at Dallas Love Field right before Christmas because an arctic blast grounded their flight that was to take them to Florida for a tournament, thoughts of state basketball glory in San Antonio warmed their hearts.

“San Antonio and going to state has been in the back of our minds all season,” said Lipan’s wiry forward Chelsea Lott. “I’m kind of just thinking … I want to finish the job.”

The Lipan Lady Indians (33-3) will play the Martin’s Mill Lady Mustangs (31-6) Friday at 8:30 a.m. for a spot in the Class 2A Texas University Interscholastic League championship in the Alamodome in San Antonio. The victor moves on to play the winner of the Gruver/Hearne semifinal matchup.

Martin’s Mill and Lipan are no strangers to March basketball. The Lady Mustangs have been to the state tournament 16 times — 15 of those appearances since 2015 — winning 6 titles. Lipan has been there nine times — winning two state championships, one in 1A and the other in 2A.

That Lipan is playing Martin’s Mill does not surprise Lipan head coach Amber Branson.

“I mean, (Martin’s Mill) is synonymous with the state tournament,” Branson said. “It’s definitely going to be a challenge and we’re looking forward to it.”

These two teams even lost to the same team last season, the Stamford Lady Bulldogs. Lipan was humbled, 49-33, in the regional final. Martin’s Mill fell, 68-64, in the state semifinal game.

The Lipan Lady Indians were left stunned after the Lady Bulldogs of Stamford humbled them in last February’s regional final game in McKinney.
The Lipan Lady Indians were left stunned after the Lady Bulldogs of Stamford humbled them in last February’s regional final game in McKinney.

Lipan’s heartbreaks fuel this season’s title run

The Lady Indians limped off the floor in McKinney last February stunned in defeat as Stamford used its height and defensive pressure to silence a boisterous Lipan cheering contingent.

“Only one team can come out on top at the end,” Branson told the Star-Telegram. ”And I think when we left there, (the girls) had it in their minds to not have that feeling again.”

Lott, walking towards the Lipan bench after the final buzzer, stopped abruptly, crouched on her haunches and buried her face in both hands.

“Wow, I can’t believe that just happened,” Lott said she remembers thinking at the time. “And I was like, ‘This is not how it’s supposed to end. I don’t want to feel like this again.’”

Lipan’s Chelsea Lott blocks a shot in the Lady Indians’ bruising, 60-51, victory over the Lady Mustangs of Martin’s Mill in Glen Rose in 2021.
Lipan’s Chelsea Lott blocks a shot in the Lady Indians’ bruising, 60-51, victory over the Lady Mustangs of Martin’s Mill in Glen Rose in 2021.

When the Lady Indians traveled to Ben Wheeler in November 2022 to play Martin’s Mill, they did not exactly play the conquerors. For starters, they dug a 17-point hole at halftime. Shots were not falling for them. Adding to their misery, Lipan could not stop the Lady Mustangs’ attack.

“We did not play well at all,” Lott said.

It is not like Lipan to be lethargic. They press their opponents, forcing mistakes and pouncing on turnovers — generally making their opponents miserable.

“I went back and I rewatched our film from that game and it’s just not the same (Lipan) team that I’ve seen in the past couple of weeks,” Lipan forward Trinity Benitez said.

So, what’s the difference?

“Our defense is huge. It’s a big difference from then and now,” Benitez said.

Martin’s Mill had flipped the script in that November game. Even the announcer at the game seemed to mock Lipan — calling them the Lady Eagles.

“Ever since then we’re like, ‘We cannot let the Lipan Lady Eagles show up and play the game,’” Lott said. “Yeah, we have a chip on our shoulder. We’re not happy about losing that game at all.”

Chelsea Lott starts a fastbreak against the Lady Mustangs of Martin’s Mill during the Texas Class 2A girls basketball championship in the Alamodome in San Antonio in 2021. Lipan won 44-39.
Chelsea Lott starts a fastbreak against the Lady Mustangs of Martin’s Mill during the Texas Class 2A girls basketball championship in the Alamodome in San Antonio in 2021. Lipan won 44-39.
The Lipan Lady Indians are no strangers to the Texas state basketball tournaments, having made it nine times. Lipan forward Chelsea Lott, second from left, warming up under the bright lights of the Alamodome in 2021 when they won their first Class 2A title.
The Lipan Lady Indians are no strangers to the Texas state basketball tournaments, having made it nine times. Lipan forward Chelsea Lott, second from left, warming up under the bright lights of the Alamodome in 2021 when they won their first Class 2A title.

Victory may depend on which Lipan team shows up

Preparation for the state tournament has been intense, Lott said. No surprise there. The Lady Indians have set their alarms for zero dark thirty to run their drills.

“If we did not show up full speed and ready to run and go, we’re not going to win,” Lott said. “We’re waking up (Friday), we’re winning that game. And we’re going to take care of business.”

Nothing was going to get in their way. Not an Arctic blast that froze most of Southwest Airlines flights across the country in December, stranding them at the airport. Not injuries, small and large. This resilient team is on the cusp of playing for a third state championship.

“But it all depends on which Lipan team shows up,” said Ralph Carter, superintendent of Lipan ISD. “If they play like they did the last two games (A 70-25 thumping of Cooper in the regional semifinal and a 50-36 win over Nocona in the final.), no one will beat them.”

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