LEROY – The NV Lady Pats hosted Kaplan Tuesday needing either a victory or an Erath loss to clinch second in District 9-3A and the half point in the power ratings that goes with it.

The girls from NV (18-9, 10-2) took matters into their own hands, though, by beating the Lady Pirates 51-16.

NV’s defense held Kaplan (9-18, 5-7) to eight points in both the first and second halves.

The Lady Pats played with a purpose all game, taking a 24-8 halftime lead. They outscored the visitors 17-5 in the final period.

NV head coach Phillip Freeman said the difference between Tuesday and last Friday, when NV was beaten soundly by VC in Abbeville, was that senior Kate Faulk was able to return to the court in Leroy. Faulk was cleared to play Tuesday after having suffered a concussion in practice last week.

“(There was) probably more energy because Kate was out there,” said Freeman. “There was somebody out there to calm them down and keep everything in check and under control without me having to do it from the bench.

Faulk and Simone Pillette co-led NV with 11 points each. Chelcie Sonnier had nine points, Jodi Vincent had six points, Takyra Cooper and Hannah Dardar had four points each and Catherice Touchet and Morgan Harrington each scored three points.

Kaplan was led by Yasmin Cobb’s six points. Hillary Primeaux had three points, Lacey Perro, Kailey LeJeune and Carmen LeMaire each had two points and Brittany LeBeouf scored one point.

NV, which currently sits at the number 26 position in the powere rankings, now awaits the LHSAA playoff pairings, set to be released on Friday.