After a less-than-successful season debut this past Friday against Round Rock Cedar Ridge, the 10th-ranked Georgetown Lady Eagles made a 180-degree turn Monday night in a 60-54 victory over Waco Midway at Eagle Gym. It was Georgetown’s first victory over the Pantherettes since the Lady Eagles’ 52-33 win in their season opener in 2014 and gives them momentum going into the 16-team Eaton Varsity Tournament this Thursday through Saturday in metropolitan Fort Worth.
Coach Rhonda Farney’s preseason District 18-5A favorites will open the tournament at 10:30 a.m. Thursday against Fort Worth Fossil Ridge, which is coming off a 4-26 season and is picked seventh this fall in eight-team District 5-6A. Pending the outcome of its opener, GHS will play either the winner or loser of the Euless Trinity versus Dallas Life Oak Cliff match-up in the quarterfinals at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.Trinity, a 22-14 campaigner a year ago, is picked to finish second to Hurst Bell in District 3-6A.The semifinals in both the championship and consolation brackets are scheduled for Friday. The title game is set for 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Teams losing in the quarterfinals fall off the main bracket and into brackets for extra games on Friday and Saturday.
In its 58-46 road loss to Cedar Ridge, Georgetown fell behind 14-4 in the first quarter and the Raiders expanded their advantage out to 29-15 at half and 49-27 after three quarters. The Lady Eagles were guilty of 29 turnovers and were unable to put the clamps on Cedar Ridge standout Taryn Wills, who scored 19 points in three quarters. Not the opener GHS wanted and it looked like it would carry over into its second game in four days with a 6A contender as Midway jumped to a 37-31 halftime advantage. The game was tied 45-45 after three periods. The Lady Eagles took the lead for good at 52-51 on two free throws by junior McCall Hampton with 2:06 remaining.
From that point, Georgetown outscored the Pantherettes, 8-3, getting another free throw from Hampton, a basket by sophomore guard Graci Harris, four free throws from junior Kylee Ellsworth and a free throw by senior Jayelin Knight. Midway’s only points down the stretch were a 3-pointer by Danielle Byers with 27.9 seconds still on the clock.
Midway had a chance to pull within two points with 19 seconds on the clock, but Byers missed two free throws and Hampton pulled down her game-high 12th rebound. Ellsworth then made her second set of free throws with 15 seconds remaining to eliminate any doubt in the outcome.In addition to her rebounding, Hampton also had a game-high 22 points with Knight and Harris each scoring nine points. Senior Jade Smith pulled down 10 rebounds and senior Ali Isbell dished out four assists.
Neither team shot well with GHS making 17 of 46 (35 percent) from the floor and 20 of 32 (62 percent) from the line, while Midway made 18 of its 66 (27 percent) field goals and 13 of 25 (52 percent) on free throws. GHS also reduced its turnover total to 17 despite playing an aggressive, athletic group of Pantherettess, who had opened the season with a win over Crowley.Junior Reaghan Ridge led Midway with 11 points and junior Jakoriah Long and Byers added in 10 each.
“We looked much better,” Farney said of ot the Midway victory.. “It was the first time in four years that we beat Midway.” In the previous three seasons, GHS lost by 13, 7 and 22 points to the Pantherettes. “We stepped forward in the second half,” Farney said. “At halftime, we let the kids figure it out. We played much better in the second half. We’ve got a lot of kids who can help us. For example, Jaelyn is settling in on the perimeter. Jade played hard for us near the end. “I was disappointed that (senior forward) Samari O’Brien got hit in the face in the first half and couldn’t play in the second half because one of her eyes were swollen shut,” said Farney of an extremely physical game in which 46 total fouls were called and many others — both ways — went uncalled.
The GHS JV won both of its opening games, including a 52-49 win over Midway in overtime with the clincher coming on a pair of free throws by junior Hailey Hanson. Megan Herring and Kylee Sander scored 12 and 10 points each for GHS. The other victory was a 43-31 win over Cedar Creek with Sander scoring 18 points. The Freshman Blue also started 2-0 with a 63-43 win over Cedar Creek behind 28 points by Kristin Lott and a 54-36 victory over Midway. However, the Freshman White, which didn’t play Cedar Ridge, lost to Midway, 24-18. Morgan Lawson scored 13 of the White’s points.
NON-DISTRICT GAME
At Eagle Gym, Monday, Nov. 5
Varsity: GEORGETOWN 60, WACO MIDWAY 54
MIDWAY (54) — Keziah Brachert 3-15 1-2 8, Danielle Byers 4-12 0-2 10, Jasmine Franklin 0-1 0-0 0, Jakoriah Long 2-8 6-10 10, Kimariee Rivers 0-3 0-0 0, Reaghan Ridge 3-10 4-7 11, Shamaryah Duncan 3-12 2-4 9, Lanaiya Parker 1-1 0-0 2, Molly Weaver 2-4 0-0 4. Totals: 18-66, 13-25 54.
GHS (60) — Maya Perry 0-1 0-0 0, Ali Isbell 2-6 0-0 6, Hailey Smith 1-3 0-0 3, Samari O’Brien 0-1 0-0 0, Kylee Ellsworth 0-1 6-8 6, Graci Harris 3-6 2-2 9, MacKenzy Mouton 1-2 0-0 2, Jaelyn Knight 3-9 2-4 9, Jade Smith 1-4 1-3 3, McCall Hampton 6-15 9-15 22, Alicia King 0-0 0-0. Totals: 17-48 20-32 54.
Halftime: WM, 37-31. 3-point shooting: WM 6-25 (Bachert 1-6, Byers 2-6, Franklin 0-1, Long 0-3, Ridge 1-4, Duncan 1-5); GHS 6-19 (Isbell 2-5, H. Smith 1-3, O’Brien 0-1, Harris 1-2, Knight 1-2, Hampton 1-6). Rebounds: WM 29 (Bachert 9, Long 6, Ridge 5, Duncan 5); GHS 44 (Hampton 12, J. Smith 10, Mouton 6, Ellsworth 4, Perry 4, Knight 3, Isbell 3, Harris 2). Assists: GHS 10 (Isbell 4, Ellsworth 3, H. Smith 1, Kinght 1, J. Smith 1). Steals: GHS 6 (Ellsworth 2, Isbell 1, Knight 1, J. Smith 1, Hampton 1). Blocks: GHS 1 (J. Smith 1). Turnovers: WM 10, GHS 17. Total fouls: MW 27, GHS 19. Fouled out: WM, Duncan (2:06, fourth); GHS, J. Smith (2:12, fourth). Technical fouls: none. Records: Waco Midway, 1-1; Georgetown, 1-1.
Sub-Varsity
(Georgetown scoring only)
GEORGETOWN JV 52, WACO MIDWAY 49 (OT)
Jordan Stout 2, Kylee Sander 10, Hailey Hanson 8, Reece Johnson 7, Grace Kearney 0, McKenna Jansen 0, Vytorya Lehr 3, Mercedes Robledo 9, Megan Herring 12, Laura Woodard 1. Halftime: GHS, 26-19. Regulation: 47-47. GHS record: 2-0.
GEORGETOWN FRESHMAN BLUE 54, WACO MIDWAY FRESHMAN A 36 — Samantha Folsom 0, Jacqui Spencer 7, Ella Vickers 6, Kristin Lott 4, Lauren Cavanaugh 5, Sheila Lee 8, Brielle Maxwell 12, Baylie Foster 2, Dylann Jones 10. Halftime: GHS, 31-23. GHS record: 2-0.
WACO MIDWAY FRESHMAN B 24, GEORGETOWN FRESHMAN WHITE 18 — Kylie Neu 0, Avery Tisdell 0, Jaycee Galvan 0, Morgan Lawson 13, Sydney Henderson 0, Aryana Hill 0, Talaya Roston 0, Emma Miller 2, Emyris Mims 3 . Halftime: WM, 14-8. GHS record: 0-1.
NON-DISTRICT GAME
At Round Rock Cedar Ridge, Friday, Nov. 2
Varsity: CEDAR RIDGE 58, GEORGETOWN 46
GHS (46) — Maya Perry 1-2 1-3 6, Ali Isbell 1-1 4-4 7, Hailey Smith 1-2 1-2 3, Samari O’Brien 2-3 0-0 4, Kylie Ellsworth 1-3 6-8 8, Graci Harris 1-5 1-4 3, MacKenzy Mouton 1-1 0-1 2, Jaelyn Knight 1-3 1-3 3, Jade Smith 1-3 5-7 7, McCall Hampton 3-8 0-1 6. Totals: 13-31 19-33 46.
CR (58) — Deprisco 3-7 0-0 6, Hamilton 2-3 0-0 5, Thompson 2-4 0-0 4, Marshall 1-5 7-12 9, Kierstyn Rossow 1-1 3-4 5, Taryn Wills 8-13 2-5 19, Stock 0-2 0-0 0, Avary Fielding 1-2 2-5 4, Gray 1-3 0-0 3, Stock 0-0 0-2 0, Cox 1-1 1-2 3. Totals: 20-41, 15-30 58.
Halftime: CR, 29-15. 3-point shooting: GHS 1-6 (Isbell 1-1, H. Smith 0-1, Ellsworth 0-2, Harris 0-1, Knight 0-1); CR 3-15 (Deprisco 0-3, Hamilton 1-1, Thompson 0-1, Morrison 0-2, Wills 1-3, Stock 0-2, Gray 1-3). Rebounds: GHS 30 (Hampton 8, O’Brien 5, J. Smith 3, Knight 3, Mouton 3, Perry 3, Isbell 2, Harris 2, H. Smith1); CR 20. Assists: GHS 10 (Hampton 3, H. Smith 2, Ellsworth 2, Harris 2, Perry 1). Steals: GHS 10 (Perry 2, Isbell 2, H. Smith 2, Ellsworth 2, Knight 1, Hampton 1). Blocks: GHS 1 (J. Smith 1). Turnovers: GHS 29, CR 10. Total fouls: GHS 26, CR 27. Fouled out: GHS (Knight); CR (Deprisco, Hamilton, Gray). Technical fouls: GHS (Knight). Records: Georgetown, 0-1; Cedar Ridge, 1-0.
Sub-Varsity Games
(Georgetown scoring only)
GEORGETOWN JV 43, CEDAR RIDGE 31 — Jordan Stout 0, Kylee Sander 18, Bailey Miller 2, Hailey Hanson 0, Reece Johnson 1, Grace Kearney 1, Natalie Hutchens 0, McKenna Johnson 2, Vyctorya Lehr 0, Mercedes Robledo 10, Megan Herring 7, Lauren Woodard 2. Halftime: GHS, 21-9. GHS record: 1-0.
GEORGETOWN FRESHMAN BLUE 63, CEDAR RIDGE A 43 — Samantha Folsom 0, Jacqui Spencer 1, Ella Vickers 3, Kristin Lott 28, Morgan Larson 0, Lauren Cavanaugh 6, Sheila Lee 6, Brielle Maxwell 11, Abigail Rutledge 0, Emma Miller 0, Baylie Foster 0, Dylann Jones 8. Halftime: GHS, 28-24. GHS Blue record: 1-0.
TEXAS GIRLS COACHES ASSOCIATION
CLASS 5A POLL
(Released Monday, Nov. 5)
- Amarillo. 2. Mansfield Timberview. 3. Frisco Lone Star. 4. San Antonio Veterans Memorial. 5. Kerrville Tivy. 6. Lucas Lovejoy. 7. El Paso Andress. 8. Pflugerville. 9. Manvel. 10. (tie) GEORGETOWN and Cedar Park.
TOURNAMENT PAIRINGS
EATON VARSITY TOURNAMENT
At Fort Worth (Northwest ISD), Nov. 8-10 (Note: M — denotes main gym; A denotes auxiliary gym).
Thursday’s First Round Pairings:
9 a.m. — Trophy Club Byron Nelson vs. Justin Northwest (M); Euless Trinity vs. Dallas Life Oak (A).
10:30 — Fort Worth Dunbar vs. Wichita Falls (M); GEORGETOWN vs. Fort Worth Fossil Ridge, (A).
Noon — Fort Worth Eaton vs. Lucas Lovejoy (M); Azle vs. Argyle Liberty (A). 1:30 p.m. — Benbrook vs. Keller Central (M); Cleburne vs. Haltom City Haltom (A).
Thursday’s Quarterfinals
4:30 p.m. — If GHS wins in first round, it will play winner of Trinity vs. Dallas Life Oak Cliff (M); If GHS loses in first round, it will play loser of Trinity vs. Dallas Life Oak Cliff (A).
Friday’s Semifinals
Noon — If GHS wins in the quarterfinals it will play Trophy Club, Northwest, Dunbar or Wichita Falls in the semifinals (M); If GHS loses in the quarterfinals it will play Trophy Club, Northwest, Dunbar or Wichita Falls in the consolation finals. Championship and consolation semifinal losers drop off the main bracket.
Saturday’s Placement Games
9 a.m. — Fifth Place (M). 10:30 — Third Place (M) Noon — Consolation championship (M). 1:30 p.m. — Championship Game (M).
UPDATED JUNIOR VARSITY ROSTER
(As of Wednesday, Nov. 5)
10 — Jordan Stout, guard. 12 — Kaytie Sander, guard. 13 — Kylee Sander, guard. 14 — Bailey Miller, forward. 15 — Hailey Hanson, guard. 21 — Reece Johnson, guard. 23 — Grace Kearney, forward. 25 — Natalie Hutchins, guard. 30 — McKenna Jansen, post. 32 — Vyctorya Lehr, post. 33 — Mercedes Robledo, forward. 35 — Megan Herring, forward. 42 — Lauren Woodard, forward. 45 — Maddie LaCour, forward. Managers: Lizette Rodriguez, Skylar Neugent. Coach: Kevin Spruill.