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in the second half of the Chaparral’s game against the Lancaster Tigers in the Class 6A Division II UIL State Championship game, March 7, 2026 at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Lancaster won 51-37. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman)
SAN ANTONIO — Westlake didn't arrive at the state basketball championship Saturday with the idea of leaving with a box of silver medals.
But the Chaparrals' bid for a Class 6A Division II championship — and a perfect record — was taken away by a quick and athletic team from Lancaster High. The Lady Tigers dominated the game with a furious pace, forcing 14 Westlake turnovers, and left with a 51-37 victory on Saturday at the Alamodome.
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Westlake Chaparrals forward Geralynn Byers-Veal (30) forward Wynn Thorne (10) and center Tamia King (15) defend against Lancaster Tigers guard Monique Phoenix (2) in the second half of the Chaparral’s game against the Lancaster Tigers in the Class 6A Division II UIL State Championship game, March 7, 2026 at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Lancaster won 51-37. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman)
While Westlake (40-1) can blame to its worst shooting game of the season, others will credit Lancaster's superior defense. The Tigers (33-5) limited Westlake to 34% shooting from the field, 16% beyond the 3-point line.
Westlake coach Vickie Benson and the Chaparrals offered no excuses for the loss.
"I'm super proud of the fight and the no quit that the girls put out," Benson said. "They were probably disappointed because it's not the cherry on top to the season we were hoping for. ... We might have fell to the pressure. Not just the physical pressure, but the mental pressure as well."
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Lancaster Tigers guard Monique Phoenix (2) steals the ball from Westlake Chaparrals forward Wynn Thorne (10) in the first half of the Chaparral’s game against the Lancaster Tigers in the Class 6A Division II UIL State Championship game, March 7, 2026 at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Lancaster won 51-37. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman)
Lancaster, a team that is fortified by transfer students, avenged a 78-74 double-overtime loss to Westlake in November.
What was the biggest difference in the two games?
"They had a player (junior Ava Womack) who wasn't on the team last time and I think she was pretty impactful (10 points, 5 rebounds)," Benson said. "She was physical on the boards and gave us a lot of trouble, for sure."
Lancaster's defense forced 10 Westlake turnovers in a fast-paced first half to take a 31-18 lead at halftime. The Tiger defense was particularly tough on Westlake's best player, University of Houston-bound forward Tamia King, who was 1-for-8 from the field in the half. She would finish with a team-high 11 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists.
"It seemed like (Lancaster) was getting all the rebounds, unfortunately," King said.
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Westlake Chaparrals forward Wynn Thorne (10) looks for a way through defense from Lancaster Tigers guard Ava Womack (25) in the first half of the Chaparral’s game against the Lancaster Tigers in the Class 6A Division II UIL State Championship game, March 7, 2026 at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Lancaster won 51-37. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman)
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Westlake was searching for its fourth state title, its first since 1996.
After an even first quarter, the Tigers turned up the pressure and outscored the Chaps 18-7 to take control of the game before halftime.
The team's 37 total points represented its lowest output of the season. The Chaps scored 41 points in early-season wins over Liberty Hill and over Houston Homeschool.
On a positive note, two of Westlake's starters — guard Peyton Hensle and forward Geralynn Byers-Veal — are freshmen who should make an impact on the program the next three years. They combined for 15 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists.
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Westlake Chaparrals guard Peyton Hensle (14) battles Lancaster Tigers guard Monique Phoenix (2) in the second half of the Chaparral’s game against the Lancaster Tigers in the Class 6A Division II UIL State Championship game, March 7, 2026 at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Lancaster won 51-37. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman)
"I watched them grow up all year, and tonight was a great experience for them because the only thing they were lacking was experience," Benson said. "I can tell you they're going to be really, really hungry to come back next year."
The quest for perfection was not a factor in the game, Benson and the players said. Instead, they viewed it as a source of pride.
"Yes, being 41-0 would have been incredible, but we broke a lot of records this year," junior guard Wynn Thorne said.
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