LEWISVILLE - Flower Mound guard and leading scorer Ashley Deary came back from a three-game hiatus just in time for the Lady Jaguars, returning to the floor Friday to help the squad get past Lewisville in both team's District 5-5A openers, 57-41.

Deary scored 15 points to go with eight rebounds and seven assists as Flower Mound pulled away from the Farmers in the second half following a 26-22 advantage at the break.

Both squads were back on the court following a week off from action during the holiday break.

"We had a few days off but I think district always brings a refocus and more energy because the girls know this is what really counts," said Sherika Nelson, Flower Mound head coach. "We adjusted well tonight. We didn't shoot particularly great, but I feel like at halftime we made the adjustments and came out third quarter and got a lead that we were able to maintain."

While the Lady Jaguars were re-energized, Lewisville saw its intensity zapped in the second half as Deary and post Lauren Cox began to take control.

"We ran out of gas," said Charlotte Jones, Lewisville head coach. "It was obvious. As bad as it is to say it, just coming off of Christmas break, we were out of shape. That's not good and I think that's where we lost momentum. We wanted to push the ball, but we just didn't have the juice."

Cox played a part in that as well, recording many of her team-high eight blocks and 11 rebounds in the second half, often sparking fast-break opportunities for the Lady Jaguars with lengthy outlet passes to Deary. Cox also scored eight points for Flower Mound, while Courtney Fields matched Deary with 15 points, including 3-of-3 on 3-pointers.

"Everybody is going to scout to stop [Deary and Cox]," Nelson said. "So others are going to have to step up. I thought Courtney Fields played well and hit big threes for us. She made all three she took and I thought Ashley controlled the tempo really well for not having played in three games."

Lewisville kept close in the first half on the strength of three conversions from long-range in the first quarter, including one each from Jada Butts, Monisha Neal and Nikeia Scott.

"Early on we hit shots and were able to push the ball," Jones said. "That was the key. We were being patient and were getting good looks on the high-low. I like how that's been working with Mo or even Jada up high. They executed well, but I'm never satisfied and thought we could have scored more points."

Lewisville trailed by only six late in the third quarter and had a chance to cut the lead to four at 34-30 with a pair of free throws. However, both attempts missed and the Lady Jaguars quickly surged to push the margin to double figures entering the fourth.

"It was a back-and-forth first half," Nelson said. "We were both in zones and it was kind of a matter of who was hitting the outside shot. Our transition defense wasn't very good the first half but I felt like our press slowed them down a little bit and we did a better job of making them work more to get the ball down the floor."

For Lewisville, Friday's contest marked the first time this season Butts and Neal were on the floor together as both have been hampered by injury. The Farmers were missing the services of post Precious Agu, however, who was out of the country.

"We still haven't had everyone together yet and when Precious comes back next week I think we'll be OK," Jones said. "It wasn't bad today, but in the third quarter we needed to score more. I think when Precious comes back you'll see a different look with her getting to play with Mo, Jada and Nikeia."

Agu's presence could have made a difference Friday though, in particular with Cox controlling the paint for the Lady Jaguars.

"We expected [Cox] to do that in the paint," Jones said. "We kept telling the kids to pump fake and attack the basket to try to get her in foul trouble. We were doing well for a while and were able to get two fouls on her back-to-back. But we couldn't keep it up and get her out of the game."

"[Cox's] rebounding and defense changes everyone's offense," Nelson added. "You think you're by her but she still blocks it. Her ability in the paint changes our defense entirely and to get that rebound and make the long outlet to Ashley and get transition baskets is something that takes our opponent out of their game."

Lewisville looks for its first win in district at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Marcus. Flower Mound hopes to improve to 2-0 when it hosts Coppell at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

"I feel pretty good about how we're coming along and I think we'll have a totally different look once we get everyone back and in the swing of things," Jones said. "I think we're going to be OK."

Girls basketball: Lady Jags go 1-2 in Duncanville

Flower Mound was coming off a 1-2 performance last weekend at the Sandra Meadows Classic in Duncanville without Deary in the lineup.

The Lady Jaguars opened with a 54-45 loss against Cedar Park Vista Ridge before bouncing back against Houston Westburty, 50-31. However, the squad was eliminated in the consolation round by Colleyville Heritage, 49-38.

Marin Mills scored a game-high 16 points in the loss to Vista Ridge, while Cox led the way against Westbury with 15. Against Heritage, Cox scored 18 with Fields and Kayla Mount chipping in seven points apiece.

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