GIRLS BASKETBALL: Permian seniors help deliver share of district championship

To appreciate just how long it’s been since the Permian girls basketball team captured a district title, all you need to do is look at the two banners hanging on the west wall of the Permian Fieldhouse.

The banners, which commemorate district titles in 1985 and 1991, both have brown backgrounds.

Thanks to their 54-34 home victory Friday against Abilene High, the Lady Panthers can hang a new black banner to commemorate the 2011-12 season. Permian (20-8 overall) finished the District 3-5A schedule with a 10-2 record and assured itself at least a share of the title.

PHOTO GALLERY: Permian vs. Abilene High

Midland High (18-14 overall, 9-2 district) had a bye Friday. If the Lady Dawgs win Tuesday against Abilene Cooper they’ll share the title with the Lady Panthers and Permian coach Angela Braziel said the teams will probably flip by Wednesday to determine seeding for the playoffs.

RELATED: District 3-5A scores, standings

Permian’s seven-member senior class — and four of those players in particular — deserve much of the credit for helping the Lady Panthers finish atop the district standings for the first time in 21 years.

Seniors Jamia Graham, Cheyenne Swoopes and April Williams have all been members of the varsity since their freshman season. Tenesia Pointer joined the trio on varsity as a sophomore.

“They’re more than just a team, they’re kind of like a family,” Braziel said of the senior class. “They’ve been playing together for so long. This is the best group I’ve had as far as chemistry. They go to lunches together. It’s just team bonding. It’s just there.”

The bonds were forged through some trying times.

Permian lost to Lubbock Coronado 90-12 when they were freshmen. When recalling that game Friday night, Graham, Swoopes and Williams thought they lost 90-2. Permian finished tied for second to last in District 2-5A that year with a 4-14 record.

“Our first year I think we came in last or second to last,” Williams said. “Coming from last four years (ago) to first it means a lot. It’s a great accomplishment.”

Braziel took over as head coach three seasons ago and also received credit for the turnaround.

“I think Coach Braziel helped us a lot,” Graham said. “She came in and improved the program and brought us together more as a team.”

“And pushed us,” Swoopes said.

A year ago Permian won its first playoff game in program history when the Lady Panthers clipped Arlington Lamar 53-49 in a Class 5A bi-district game. For an encore Permian won just its third district title in program history.

The unique contributions all four seniors provided Permian were evident during Friday’s win

>> Swoopes set the tone, pushing the ball in transition and finishing with 16 points, nine rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocks. With about 15 seconds to go in the third quarter, Swoopes and Graham had a two-on-one break. Swoopes faked a pass to her right and the Abilene High defender turned to guard Graham. Swoopes proceeded to score an uncontested layup.

“She’s been a leader,” Braziel said. “She just never realized it until this year, I guess. Just the energy that she brings out on the court (is memorable).”

>> Williams was lauded by Braziel for her heart and effort. That was evident less than 30 seconds into the game when Williams grabbed an offensive rebound following Pointer’s miss. She was fouled going up, scored the basket and converted the 3-point play. Williams would tie Swoopes for the team lead with 16 points. She added eight rebounds, including seven on the offensive end.

“I’m going to remember her for how tough she is to guard,” Graham said

>> Graham drained her team-high 28th 3-pointer of the season two minutes into the third quarter and finished with eight points. Graham, who will run track next year at UT-Arlington, tallied a steal while harassing the Lady Eagles at the top of Permian’s defense and, of course, raced up and down the floor in transition.

“I remember never beating Jamia in a race,” Pointer said. “Not even warm-up laps. I kept up with her one time. I was so tired after that I didn’t even stretch.”

>> Pointer was her typical steady self, scoring eight points and grabbing five rebounds. She has scored at least seven points in 10 of Permian’s last 11 games.

“She’s come a long way,” Braziel said. “Been working on her. I stayed on her a lot. It’s always, ‘Yes, ma’am. Yes ma’am.’ She learns. She’s real coachable. She’s smart in the classroom. She’s just an awesome person.”

>> Follow Ryan Nilsson on Twitter at @OARyanNilsson

>> Permian 54, Abilene High 34 

ABILENE HIGH (10-18 overall, 4-7 District 3-5A) 

Jasmine Lowery 0 0-0 0, Shambriel Hunter 4 0-0 9, Kinzee Reeves 0 3-3 3, Tiana Evans 0 2-7 2, Mariah Jacoby 4 0-0 8, Katelyn Goodman 2 1-4 5, Sarah Welch 0 2-2 2, Lauren Williams 2 1-2 5. Totals 12 9-18 34.

PERMIAN (20-8, 10-2)

DeYanira Carrasco 0 1-3 1, Jamia Graham 3 1-2 8, Tailor Dominguez 0 1-2 1, Elizabeth Aguilar 1 0-1 2, Paige Lollar 0 0-0 0, Cheyenne Swoopes 7 2-4 16, Yana Scott 1 0-0 2, April Williams 5 6-7 16, Tenesia Pointer 3 2-2 8, Sha-dorian Rand 0 0-0 0. Totals 20 13-21 54.