Class 1A
PLAINVIEW– Maybe it was mystique, maybe it was luck, or maybe something else altogether, but it explains why the Nazareth Swiftettes are returning to their usual place in the Region I-1A tournament.
In what figured to be a hard-fought game in Tuesday night’s Class 1A region quarterfinal against Valley, Nazareth saw a five-point lead melt down to one in the final 20 seconds. Despite mishandling the ball egregiously twice in the final 10 seconds, the Swiftettes still managed to defeat Valley 40-39 and advance to the region semifinals again.
Nazareth will face Whiteface (28-4) on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at then Texan Dome in Levelland.
The Swiftettes (27-9) won’t get a lot of style points for their win. But after going to 10 straight region tournaments and winning six state titles in seven years at one point, Nazareth coach Eric Schilling knows better than to complain.
“It’s definitely a relief,” Schilling said immediately after the win. “I was questioning the kids a lot during that game, but whenever you’ve got some kids who want to fight, they tend to bail you out a time or two. We’ll take it either way. It definitely wasn’t our best game, but Valley had everything to do with that and I can’t say enough about them.”
Valley (24-10) got the upper hand early, taking an 8-0 lead. However, Nazareth regained composure, cutting it to 9-8 at the end of the first quarter to set the tone for the rest of the half.
The Swiftettes didn’t lead until midway through the second quarter and went up 17-13. After Valley scored six straight points to reclaim the lead, Nazareth’s Brooklyn Dyer hit a 3-pointer to give the Lady Swifts a 20-19 lead going into halftime.
However, Valley retook the lead in the third quarter, going up by as many as six points. Nazareth ended the quarter with some momentum, though, when Brooklyn Dyer converted a three-point play to cut it to 30-27.
The Swiftettes turned up the defense, and eventually reclaimed the lead. They enjoyed their biggest advantage when sophomore Brooklyn Birkenfeld, who came off the bench for a game-high 18 points, scored back-to-back baskets to make it 40-35.
Valley’s Jaydan Bagwell hit a pair of free throws and Anna Ferrel scored to cut it to 40-39 with 30 seconds left. Nazareth twice gave the ball away, but a Valley turnover and a missed 3-pointer sealed it for Nazareth.
Nazareth 8 20 27 40
Valley 9 19 30 39
N– Brooklyn Birkenfeld 18, Brooklyn Dyer 9. V– Anna Ferrell 10, Trinity Schlueter 10. Records: Nazareth 27-9, Valley 24-10.
Claude knocks off McLean
The Claude Lady Mustangs used a huge first quarter and never looked back to overtake McLean 55-33 in the Class 1A regional quarterfinals on Tuesday night in Pampa.
The Lady Stangs improve to 22-10 overall and will play Borden County (31-5) in the Region I-1A Tournament semifinals at 8 p.m. on Friday at the Texan Dome in Levelland.
Claude started off on fire building a 21-3 lead that set the tone for the rest of the night. The Lady Stangs had a 14-point advantage by halftime and cruised to the victory in the second half. Senior forward Renee Fouquet was a difference in the ball game finishing with a game-high 29 points as teammate Layla Godfrey added 12.
Claude 21 27 37 55
McLean 3 13 24 33
C- Bobbie Renne Fouquet 29, Layla Godfrey 12. M- Kasidy Russell 24. Records: Claude 22-10; McLean 25-8.
Class 4A
Canyon soars past Seminole
The Canyon Lady Eagles are once again headed back to the Region I-4A Tournament after crushing Seminole 56-36 in a regional quarterfinal at the Rip Griffin Center on the campus of Lubbock Christian on Tuesday.
Canyon (29-3) will now play in a regional semifinal against Stephenville (32-4) back at LCU at 6:30 p.m. on Friday.
The Lady Eagles took full control in the second quarter. Leading 17-9 after the first eight minutes, Canyon seized momentum by out scoring Seminole 19-8 in the second period to take a 36-17 lead into halftime. Ta’leeyah Glynn provided the points for the Lady Eagles pouring in a team-high 14 followed by Jaylee Moss with her 10.
Canyon 17 36 45 56
Seminole 9 17 23 36
C- Glynn 14, Moss 10. S- Medlin 15. Records: Canyon 29-3; Seminole 29-8.
Randall rolls over El Paso Riverside
Randall will join Canyon ISD rival Canyon in the Region I-4A Tournament after getting a convincing win over El Paso Riverside 55-40 in the regional quarterfinals on Tuesday in Andrews.
The Lady Raiders took full advantage of the game in the second half outscoring Riverside 30-19 in the final two quarters.
As she’s done all season, Lady Raider sharpshooter Sadie Sanchez paved the way for Randall pouring in a game-high 17 points. Teammate Ashley Norman followed with 13. Randall (27-9) advances to the semifinals for a showdown with No. 1-ranked Glen Rose (37-1) at 8:30 p.m. on Friday at Lubbock Christian University.
Randall 9 25 38 55
Riverside 10 21 25 40
R- Sadie Sanchez 17, Norman 13. Records: Randall 27-9; El Paso Riverside 26-6.
Class 2A
Panhandle handles Stratford
The Panhandle Ettes seized full control by the second quarter and never looked back getting a 59-41 win against Stratford in the Class 2A regional quarterfinals on Tuesday night at the Caprock Activity Center.
The Ettes (28-7) are headed to the Region I-2A Tournament where they will square off with Sundown (26-8) at 1 p.m. on Friday at the Texan Dome in Levelland.
Panhandle never trailed taking a 17-10 advantage after one and building it to a 35-19 lead by halftime. Senior Sydney Adee was the catalyst on offense dropping in a game-high 14 points. Teammate Avery Cathey added 12. Stratford ends its season at 23-11 overall.
Panhandle 17 35 50 59
Stratford 10 19 32 41
P- Sydney Adee 14, Avery Cathey 12. S- Addison Bell 13, Dez Tims 12, Addie Wells 10. Records: Panhandle 28-7; Stratford 23-11.
Gruver advances back to regional tournament
It wasn’t easy, however, the Gruver Lady Hounds survived a scare from Farwell pulling away for a 51-39 victory in the Class 2A regional quarterfinals on Tuesday night at the Amarillo High Activity Center.
Farwell and Gruver went back and forth with the Lady Blue leading 31-30 after three quarters. But in the fourth quarter is where the Lady Hounds found their footing as they took over by out scoring Farwell 21-8 down the stretch to earn the victory.
Gruver (27-5), the defending Class 2A state champions, runs its playoff win streak to 10 straight games and will get a rematch with New Home (30-4) in the Region I-2A semifinals at 2:30 p.m. on Friday at the Texan Dome in Levelland.
Gruver 13 17 30 51
Farwell 10 22 31 39
G- Kimber Whitehead 13, Brenna Butler 11, Allie Sparks 10. F- Smith 12, Baldwin 10. Records: Gruver 27-5; Farwell 29-7.