Goldthwaite's remarkable 2024 season ends with loss to Martins Mill in state semifinals

SAN ANTONIO — Goldthwaite could not have asked for a better start to its first UIL state tournament appearance in more than two decades after taking an 8-1 lead early in the first quarter against Martin's Mill.

But the Eagles would have preferred a more favorable finish after the No. 4 Mustangs closed the opening period with a 10-1 run and pulled away in the second half to secure a 54-43 Class 2A state semifinal win at the Alamodome.

The Eagles' impressive 2023-2024 season ends at 34-4 after carrying a 23-game winning streak into the state tournament.

Martin's Mill, which was making its 17th appearance at the UIL state tournament, improved to 32-6 and advanced to Saturday's championship game to play Nocona or Wellington at 1:30 p.m. back at the Alamodome.

Out with a bang

Goldthwaite senior Hope Hermesmeyer delivered a memorable performance in her final high school game.

Hermesmeyer, who is the daughter of head coach Angie Hermesmeyer, delivered a game-best 20 points with 11 rebounds, four assists and four three-pointers.

"I worked really hard to get here but overall, my teammates helped me get the shots that I needed," Hope Hermesmeyer said. "They helped me score and get those rebounds. I wouldn't be here without them."

Angie Hermesmeyer said the players always took a picture of the Alamodome when driving from South Texas through Interstate 37, and that playing at the state tournament was something Hope and her teammates always dreamed since a young age.

"This has been a great combination of the hard work they have put together and the goals they have set forth," an emotional Angie Hermesmeyer said of her seniors. "To be able to be a mom and celebrate that with my daughter in her senior year, you couldn't ask for a better outcome. It's what we've always wanted."

The turning point

Second-chance points were the difference in the second half with Martin's Mill grabbing seven offensive rebounds and Goldthwaite securing two.

There were four lead changes in the first half, but the hot shooting of Martin's Mill's Kate Lindsey helped the Mustangs pull away and grow their largest lead of 10 in the third quarter.

Lindsey was 4 of 9 from 3-point territory and Kara Nixon added a team-best 18 points to lead Martin's Mill.

The Mustangs had three players finish with double digits in Nixon, Lindsey (13 points) and Alli Vaughan (12 points). Addisyn Howard was the only other Goldthwaite player to score in double figures after netting 10 points and grabbing five rebounds.

"I thought the girls played hard the whole game," Angie Hermesmeyer said. "We didn't get as many offensive rebounds in the second half to give us those second-chance opportunities, but hats off to Martin's Mill. Once they got the lead, it was hard to get it back from them. They definitely milked the clock in the end and wore us down defensively."

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Goldthwaite's 2024 season comes to end in UIL 2A state semifinals