By GALEN WELLNICKI
One way to understand the success of Georgetown Lady Eagles basketball over nearly three decades is to equate the accomplishments with the links of a chain. For example, coach Rhonda Farney’s teams have advanced to the state playoffs for 27 consecutive seasons and posted 28 straight winning seasons.
Another special link was added to that chain during the recently completed season — a 28-8 record in which every loss was to a team that was ranked at some point in the campaign, a 15-1 championship run through District 19-5A and a fifth consecutive year in which the team reached the regional finals.
Simply speaking, these are credentials that most of the teams in the state would love to experience. The Duncanvilles, Canyons, Argyles and Nazareths are few and far between, but rhe Georgetown Lady Eagles also drive to the basket and play defense at a rare level of accomplishment. Consistancy of excellent, a rare commodity.
When asked to discuss the latest link in the chain and its four senior leaders — Deona Day, Brooke and Taylor Elliott and Katy Brandenburg — Farney answered:
“Our team started in the spring off-season last year working hard every day and loving each other. There were so many big moments for our team that resulted in our winning District 19-5A and winning four playoff games.
“I loved all our players and coaches and were so proud of their accomplishments. The seniors have been a part of an incredible legacy. As varsity players, they have made it to the elite eight in the state three times, going 12-3 in the playoffs the past three years.”
Ah, the players, a roster of eight that sometimes grew to 10 principals, that were the backbone of the Lady Eagles’ accomplishments and they were recognized to an extent on the 19-5A All-District Team, which was released after GHS and Rouse were eliminated by Mont Belvieu Barbers Hill in the Region III-5A Tournament two weekends ago at the $35.2 million Delmar Fieldhouse in Houston.
The 6-foot-1 Day was named the nine-team alignment’s Most Valuable Player, 6-1 freshman guard Emery Herman shared Newcomer of the Year honors with Cedar Park freshmanm Nicole Leff and Farney and Rouse’s Lori McDonald were Co-Coaches of the Year.
The Elliott twins were voted to the first team and 5-10 sophomore Emily Jones was a second-team selection. Junior guards Maddie Vickers and Josie Weirich and sophomore post were honorable mention choices.
Day and Brooke Elliott also were first-team selections as juniors, while Taylor Elliott was a second team pick in 2016. B. Elliott also was a second-team honoree as a sophomore.
In earning the MVP nod, Day led the balanced and team-oriented Lady Eagles with 13.9 scoring and 6.7 rebounding averages per game.
Despite having all eight of her primary varsity performers honored by the other eight district coaches, Farney was not completely satisfied with the selections.
“I was disappointed that Taylor Elliott wasn’t the Defensive Player of The Year,” Farney explained. “She should have been and Emery Herman should have been the only Newcomer of the Year. However, I’m pleased with all those who received honors.”
In answering what they thought about their final seasons as Lady Eagles, the four seniors often walked the same turfof sisterhood as they give their insights into their team’s special season.
Their observations:
Deona “Dee” Day: “I feel like our season was amazing. I wouldn’t have had it any other way — no regrets. Everyone played their part and that’s how we got as far as we did. I’ve had the most fun this season than any other season and I think that’s because of our chemistry with each other. We’re a family and we love each other no matter what.”
Brooke Elliott: “This was a fantastic year all around. We had great team chemistry. We all got along so well, and pulled for each other’s succes. We supported each other through all the good times and rough times. I think every single player was disappointed we didn’t make the final four but gave it all we had in every game. it was truly a team . . . no individuals.”
Taylor Elliott: “This season was one of my favorite seasons. I loved every minute of it! The team all had great chemistryand we thoroughly enjoyed playing with each other and each others’ company. This team holds a very special place in my heart. Although we are truly disappointed, I’m so proud of everything this team accomplished.”
Katy Brandenburg, promising post player turned manager beacuse of injury: “This season was extremely special — nothing like any other year. We really loved one another and we were a fanily. We were there for each other no matter what on or off the court. Every trip and moment was very special and exciting and I loved every second of it.”
Another major accomplishment was earned in the classroom instead of on the court, 14 players, mananagers and trainers earned academic all-district honors. The honorees were Brooke Elliott, sr.; Ali Isbell, soph.; Josie Weirich, jr.; Taylor Elliott, sr.; Miranda Gil, jr.; Jaelyn Knight, soph.; Maddie Vickers, jr.; Emery Herman, fr.; Deonna Day, sr.; Emily Jones, soph. Managers/trainers: Katy Brandenburg, sr.; Chloe Sutton, soph.; Alyssa Ellis, soph.; Xandra Lara, sr.
For a look back at a season made possible by the dedicated players, Farney’s staff of Kellye Richardson, Kristin Curtis and Kevin Spruill, its parents,fans, including its energetic Sun City Booster Club, see below the information below and support staff, including Tosha Dohrety and Lynne Krog.
The future remains bright. The cupboard is far from empty. Remember, the program won or tied for district championships on all three sub-varsity levels.
ALL-DISTRICT 19-5A SELECTIONS
Superlatives
MVP: Deonna “Dee” Day, sr., Georgtown.
Offensive Player of Year: Emily Daniel, sr., East View.
Defensive Player of Year: Jennifer Parker, sr., Rouse.
Co-Newcomers of the Year : Emery Herman, fr., Georgetown, and Nicole Leff, fr., Cedar Park.
Co-Coaches of the Year: Rhonda Farney, Georgetown. and Lori McDonald, Rouse.
First Team
Georgetown: Brooke Elliott, sr.; Taylor Elliott, sr. East View: Diamond Morrison, jr. Bastrop: Kya Tarver, sr. Bastrop Cedar Creek: Jaelyn Goodloe, jr. Cedar Park: Cami Rettinger, sr; Chika Onyia, sr. Pflugerville Connally: E’Nisha Fowler, jr.; Keiondra Jones, sr. Rouse: Zoe Holmes, sr.; Brittany Martin, jr.
Second Team
Georgetown: Emily Jones, soph. East View: Paighton Corley, jr. Bastrop: Akhiri Lester, jr.; Peniah Waites. Cedar Creek: Ashlan Smith, jr. Cedar Park: Aubrey McCarty, sr.; Kilee West, jr. Hutto: Alex Torres, jr. Rouse: Taylor Douthitt, jr.; Chloe Austin, soph.
Honorable Mention
Georgetown: Maddie Vickers, jr.; Jaelyn Knight, soph.; Josie Weirich, r. East View: Alyson Ashby, sr.; Alex Stone, soph.; Keely Wallis, sr. Bastrop: Rhaneahqua Higgins, sr.; Ashlynn Watley, sr.; Carley Soules, sr.; Mariah Meeks, sr. Cedar Creek: Deshelle Welcome, sr.; Jasmyne Hubbard, sr. Cedar Park: Shannon Hazard, sr. Elgin: Rebecca Farmer, sr. Hutto: Codee Terry, sr.; Shelby Hameister, sr. Connally: Tierra Leyanna. jr.; Ayreona Justice, jr. Rouse: Emily Schaible, jr.; Ashley Thompson, jr.
Academic All-State
(GISD Players Only)
Georgetown: Players — Brooke Elliott, sr.; Ali Isbell, soph.; Josie Weirich, jr.; Taylor Elliott, sr.; Miranda Gil, jr.; Jaelyn Knight, soph.; Maddie Vickers, jr.; Emery Herman, fr.; Deonna Day, sr.; Emily Jones, soph. Managers/trainers: Katy Brandenburg, sr.; Chloe Sutton, soph.; Alyssa Ellis, soph.; Xandra Lara, sr.
East View: Players –Paighton Corley, jr.; Diamond Morrison, jr.; Jessica Workman, jr.; Alyson Ashby, sr.; Emily Daniel, sr.; Anna Steger, jr.; Alex Stone, soph.; Lily Brown, soph.; Keely Wallis, sr.; Sarah Lindsey, jr.
FINAL TEXAS GIRLS COACHES ASSOCIATION
CLASS 5A RANKINGS
Class 5A
1. Canyon. 2. Mansfield Timberview. 3 (tie) Mont Belvieu Barbers Hill and Corpus Christi Flour Bluff. 5. (tie) Georgetown, Austin SFA, Frisco Liberty, Amarillo. 9. (tie) Leander Rouse, Colleyville Heritage, Denton Ryan, Beaumont Central, Mansfield Legacy, Marble Falls. Corpus Christi Carroll, The Colony. 17 (tie) El Paso Burges, Fort Worth Trimble Tech, Birdville, El Paso Andress, Beaumont Ozen, College Station, Manvel, Tomball Memorial, Frisco Centennial, Prosper, Frisco Lone Star, Crowley, Laredo Cigarroa, Port Lavaca Calhoun, Kerrville Tivy.
FINAL TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF BASKETBALL COACHES
CLASS 5A RANKINGS
(Released prior to the playoffs)
1. Amarillo. 2. Mansfield Timberview. 3. Canyon. 4. Mont Belvieu Barbers Hill. 5. Saginaw Boswell. 6. Frisco Liberty. 7. Frisco Lone Star. 8. The Colony. 9. Tomball Memorial. 10. Austin SFA. 11. Colleyville Heritage. 12. Mansfiel Summit. 13. Kerrville Tivy. 14. Sulphur Springs. 15. College Station. 16. Dayton. 17. Houston Madison. 18. Crowley. 19. Georgetown. 20. Fort Worth Trimble Tech. 21. El Paso Andress. 22. Brownsville Veterans Memorial. 23. Laredo Cigarroa. 24. Lubbock Monterey. 25. Beaumont Ozen.
GHS SEASON GAME-BY-GAME
Season record: 28-8.
19-5A record: 15-1.
Playoff record: 4-1.
Opponent Score Record
Waco Midway 57-64 0-1
BURLESON CENTENNIAL TOURNAMENT
At Burleson
Lubbock 57-42 1-1
Leander 51-28 2-1
Waco Midway 38-40 2-2
B. Centennial 46-27 3-2
***
@Pflugerville 36-51 3-3
Killeen Ellison 49-55 3-4
@Pflugervile Connally* 81-44 4-4
JACK FROST TOURNAMENT
(Silver Bracket Champion)
Leander 52-20 5-4
S.A. Wagner 56-62 5-5
Lub. Coronado 51-33 6-5
S.A. Incarnate Word 50-48 (OT) 7-5
Hurst Bell 56-42 8-5
***
@Hutto * 78-19 9-5
Elgin* 79-12 10-5
@Bastrop* 74-17 11-5
East View* 47-42 12-56
@Rouse 55-38 13-5
CAROLINA INVITATIONAL
At Chartleston, S.C.
St. John’s Catholic, Md. 52-32 14-5
Holy Innocents, Ga. 36-52 14-6
Northwood Academy, S.C. 45-44 15-6
***
Cedar Park* 42-34 16-6
@B. Cedar Creek* 77-29 17-6
P. Connally* 77-26 18-6
Hutto* 82-16 19-6
@Elgin* 74-21 20-6
Bastrop* 51-21 21-6
@East View* 51-33 22-6
Rouse* 44-56 22-7
@Cedar Park* 57-28 23-7
B. Cedar Creek* 53-21 24-7
* — denotes 19-5A game.
STATE PLAYOFFS
Bi-District (at Hearne)
Waller 70-55 25-7
Area (at Hearne)
Bryan Rudder 57-34 26-7
III-5A Quarterfinals (at Bryan)
Tomball Memorial 47-31 27-7
REGION III-5A TOURNAMENT
At Delmar Fieldhouss, Houston
Semifinals
Beaumont Central 41-36 28-7
Championship
MB Barbers Hill 43-55 28-8
FINAL DISTRICT 19-5A GIRLS STANDINGS
xy-Georgetown, 15-1; x-Cedar Park, 13-3; x- Rouse, 13-3; x-Bastrop, 9-7; East View, 9-7; Hutto, 4-12; Pflugerville Connally, 4-12; Bastrop Cedar Creek, 4-12; Elgin, 1-15.
x — clinched playoff berth. y — clinched championship.
The District Race (Game-by-Game)
Round One
Game One: Bastrop 42, East View 28; Cedar Creek 51, Connally 38; Cedar Park 88, Hutto 37; Rouse 92, Elgin 31. Bye: Georgetown.
Game Two: Georgetown 81, Connally 44; Hutto 36, Cedar Creek 32; Bastrop 38, Rouse 34; Cedar Park 71, Elgin 34. Bye: East View.
Game Three: Georgetown 78, Hutto 19; Elgin 42, Cedar Creek 37; Rouse 47, East View 42; Cedar Park 53, Bastrop 51. Bye: Connally.
Game Four: Georgetown 79, Elgin 12; Cedar Park 66, East View 54; Connally 59, Hutto 53; Bastrop 35, Cedar Creek 33. Bye: Rouse.
Game Five: Georgetown 74, Bastrop 19; East View 48, Cedar Creek 29; Rouse 43, Cedar Park 42; Connally 68, Elgin 35. Bye: Hutto.
Game Six: Georgetown 47, East View 42; Hutto 69, Elgin 58; Bastrop 57, Connally 44; Rouse 70, Cedar Creek 32. Bye: Cedar Park.
Game Seven: Georgetown 55, Rouse 38; Cedar Park 66, Cedar Creek 30; Bastrop 35, Hutto 29; East View 45, Connally 38. Bye: Elgin.
Game Eight: Georgetown 42, Cedar Park 34; Rouse 63, Connally 34; Bastrop 59, Elgin 34; East View 53, Hutto 36. Bye: Cedar Creek.
Game Nine: Georgetown 77, Cedar Creek 29; East View 56, Elgin 37; Cedar Creek 64, Connally 43; Rouse 60, Hutto 28. Bye: Bastrop.
Round Two
Game 10: East View 38, Bastrop 35; Connally 52, Cedar Creek 44; Rouse 61, Elgin 30; Cedar Park 79, Hutto 37. Bye: Georgetown.
Game 11: Georgetown 77, Connally 26; Cedar Creek 44, Hutto 30; Rouse 51, Bastrop 37; Cedar Park 90, Elgin 54. Bye: East View.
Game 12: Georgetown 82, Hutto 16; Rouse 47, East View 34; Crdar Creek 58, Elgin 35; Cedar Park 59, Bastrop 44. Bye: Connally.
Game 13: Georgetown 74, Elgin 21; Cedar Park 58, East View 56; Cedar Creek 42, Bastrop 35; Hutto 62, Connally 55. Bye: Rouse.
Game 14: Georgetown 51, Bastrop 21; East View 66, Cedar Creek 42; Cedar Park 47, Rouse 44; Connally 69. Elgin 52. Bye: Hutto.
Game 15: Georgetown 51, East View 53; Hutto 60, Elgin 47; Rouse 55, Cedar Creek 19; Bastrop 60, Connally 46. Bye: Cedar Park.
Game 16: Rouse 56, Georgetown 44; Cedar Park 63, Cedar Creek 33; Bastrop 58, Hutto 34; East View 70, Connally 68.
Game 17: Georgetown 57, Cedar Park 28; East View 58, Hutto 43; Rouse 47, Connally 20; Bastrop 57, Elgin 43. Bye: Cedar Creek.
Game 18: Georgetown 53, Cedar Creek 21; East View 66, Elgin 47; Rouse 64, Hutto 32; Cedar Park 75, Connally 45. Bye: Bastrop.
Playoff for Fourth seeding — Bastrop 32, East View 22.
TEAM STATISTICS
(36 games)
Georgetown
Points per game — 55.8 (2,009 points)
Average victory margin — 19.5 (701 points).
Overall field goal percentage — 47 percent (699 of 1,487).
Three-point field goal percentage — 31 percent (115 of 377).
Free throw percentage — 61 percent (510 of 842).
Rebounds per game — 30.0 (1,079).
Assists per game –15.1 (545).
Steals per game — 15.3 (551).
Blocks per game — 1.3 (45).
Turnovers per game — 9.0 (323).
Personal fouls per game — 13.9 (500).
Opponents
Points allowed per game — 36.3 (1,308).
Overall field goal percentage — 33.7percent (428 of 1,270).
Three-point field goal percentage – 24.6 percent (104 of 423).
Free throw percentage — 58.4 percent (338 of 579).
Rebounds per game — 18.9 (680).
Personal fouls per game –18.4 (664).
Single Game Bests
Points scored — 82 points vs. Hutto, Jan. 17.
Victory margin — 67 points (79-12) vs. Elgin, Dec. 9.
Times holding opponents under 25 points — 7 games.
Longest win streak — 9 games, Dec. 2-27.
Fewest points allowed — 12 points vs. Elgin, Dec. 9.
Fewest field goals allowed — 4 vs. Elgin, Dec. 9.
Fewest field goal attempts allowed — 19, Leander, Dec. 1.
Fewest three-point field goals allowed — 0, 5 games.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Season
Shooting
Name G fg-fga fg3-fg3a ftm-fta Tps Avg.
Deonna Day 36 193-337 2-4 111-195 499 13.9
Brooke Elliott 34 98-242 49-123 87-129 330 9.7
Emery Herman 36 98-180 0-17 83-118 279 7.8
Taylor Elliott 36 72-177 24-84 61-104 228 6.3
Emily Jones 36 83-161 2-7 48-85 214 5.9
Jaelyn Knight 36 80-163 0-5 47-82 207 5.8
Josie Weirich 34 33-105 24-77 23-41 111 3.3
Maddie Vickers 34 27-91 10-49 28-51 90 2.6
Ali Isbell 11 6-16 3-11 10-17 25 2.3
Jade Smith 15 6-11 0-0 10-18 18 1.2
Miranda Gil 4 2-2 0-0 0-0 4 1.0
Emili Harris 5 1-2 0-0 0-0 2 0.4
Kylie Ellsworth 1 0-0 0-0 2-2 2 2.0
Other players appearing in a varsity game and not scoring: Gracie Speer, Morgan Bruning, Samari O’Brien, Shelby Jones, McCall Hampton.
Other Departmental Leaders.
Rebounds (total, Game-Average) — Day. 241-6.7; Herman, 174-4.8; B. Elliott, 150-4.4; Jones, 144-4.0; Knight, 138-3.8; Vickers, 89-2.6; T. Elliott, 86-2.4, Smith, 17-1.1; Weirich, 35-1.0.
Assists — B. Elliott 136, Herman 114, T. Elliott 88, Day 48, Vickers 47, Jones 41, Weirich 34, Knight 32.
Steals — T. Elliott 121, Herman 106, Day 90, B. Elliott 81, Vickers 49, Jones 36, Knight 35, Weirich 24.
Blocks — Day 20, Jones 7, Herman 6, Vickers 4, Smith 3.
Personal fouls: Day 88, T. Elliott 87, Jones 66, Knight 63, Vickers 61, B. Elliott 50, Herman 48, Weirich 18.
Single Season Bests
Points — 27 points, Dee Day vs. Hutto.
Field goals — 13 (of 18), Dee Day vs. Hutto.
Three-point field goals — 5, Josie Weirich (of 9) vs. Hutto; Brooke Elliott (of 7) vs. Tomball Memorial.
Free throws — 13 (of 14), Brooke Elliott vs. Bryan Rudder.
Rebounds — 14, Dee Day vs. Waller.
Assists –12, Brooke Elliott vs. Bastrop.
Steals — 9, Emery Herman vs. Bastrop.
REGION III-5A PLAYOFFS
(In bracket order)
Bi-District Results
Tomball Memorial 26, Bastrop 23; Temple 51, Lindale 42; Georgetown 70, Waller 55; Bryan Rudder 58, Nacogdoches 57 (OT); Fort Bend Willowridge 48. Houston Madison 42; Beaumont Central 77, Dayton 73; Manvel 76, Houston Sharpstown 12; Humble Kingwood Park 56, Lumberton 49.
***
College Station 70, Corsicana 12; Magnolia 44, Cedar Park 40; Ennis 71, Bryan 69; Rouse 47, Tomball 31; Beaumont Ozen 64, New Caney 34; Galveston Ball 52, Houston Northside 31; Mont Belvieu Barbers Hill 72, Livingston 18; Fort Bend Elkins 73, Houston Furr 31
Area Results
Tomball Memorial 45, Temple 31; Georgetown 57, Bryan Rudder 34; Beaumont Central 54, Fort Bend Willowridge 34; Manvel 52, Humble Kingwood Park 28.
***
College Station 53, Magnolia 48; Rouse 62, Ennis 52; Beaumont Ozen 66, Galveston Ball 32; Mont Belvieu Barbers Hill 83, Fort Bend Elkins 49
Region III-5A Quarterfinal Results
Georgetown 47, Tomball Memorial 31; Beaumont Central 24, Manvel 21.
***
Rouse 43, College Station 39; Mont Belview Barbers Hill 48, Beaumont Ozen 39
REGION III-5A TOURNAMENT
At Delmar Fieldhouse, Houston
Friday’s Semifinals — Georgetown 41, Beaumont Central 36; Mont Belvieu Barbers Hill 56, Rouse 36. Saturday’s Finals –Mont Belvieu Barbers Hill 55, Georgetown 43.
OTHER 5A REGIONAL TOURNAMENTS
Region I-5A
At Scurry County Coliseum, Snyder
Friday’s Semifinals — Amarillo 55, Colleyville Heritage 45; Canyon 67, Denton Ryan 28. Saturday’s Finals — Canyon 46, Amarillo 42.
Region II-5A
At Curtis Culwell Coliseum, Garland
Friday’s Semifinals — Frisco Liberty 50, Mansfield Legacy 44; Mansfield Timberview 62, The Colony 50. Saturday’s finals — Mansfield Timberview 53, Frisco Liberty 47.
Region IV-5A
At Northside ISD Gym, San Antonio
Friday’s Semifinals — Corpus Christi Flour Bluff 46, Marble Falls 28; Austin SFA 46, Corpus Christi Carroll 27. Saturday’s finals — Corpus Christi Flour Bluff 48, Austin SFA 42 (2 OT).
UIL STATE TOURNAMENT
At Alamodome, San Antonio
Thursday’s semifinals — Canyon 66, Mont Belvieu Barbers Hill 39; Mansfield Timberview 66, Corpus Christi Flour 41.
Saturday’s finals — Canyon 47, Mansfield Timberview 45.
GHS LADY EAGLES EXPANDED PLAYOFF ROSTER
No. — Name Gr. Pos. Ht.
10 — Brooke Elliott sr. Guard 5-8
12 — Morgan Bruning so. Post 5-8
13 — Samari O’Brien so. Guard 5-6
14 — Ali Isbell so. Guard 5-6
15 — Josie Weirich jr. Guard 5-0
21 — Kylie Ellsworth fr. Guard 5-6
22 — Taylor Elliott sr. Guard 5-6
25 — Shelby Jones so. Guard 5-6
30 — Miranda Gil jr. Guard 5-5
32 — Jaelyn Knight so. Post 5-11
33 — Maddie Vickers jr. Guard 5-7
34 — Emery Herman fr. Guard 6-1
35 — Emili Harris jr. Post 5-10
42 — Jade Smith so. Post 6-0
44 — Gracie Speer so. Guard 5-8
45 — McCall Hampton fr. Guard 5-8
50 — Deonna Day sr. Post 6-1
55 — Emily Jones so. Post 5-11
Head coach: Rhonda Farney.
Asst. coaches: Kellye Richardson, Kristin Curtis, Kevin Spruill.
Trainers: Vanessa Redeau, Chad Hennessey.
Student trainer: Xandrea Lara.
Managers: Katy Brandenburg, Ayssa Ellis, Lucy Palacios, Chloe Sutton.
Athletics director: Todd York.