“Saturday we’ll play the best team we’ve faced so far this season,” Georgetown Lady Eagles coach Rhonda Farney said Monday afternoon after her team’s 52-35 victory over struggling Victoria East on the Titans’ court. That victory improved Georgetown’s record to 5-4 as it looks toward Saturday’s 1:30 p.m. battle with undefeated Pflugerville Hendrickson at Eagle Gym. The Hawks stand 10-0 and are ranked a consensus third in both major Class 6A polls.
The Lady Eagles were knocked out of Texas Association of Basketball Coaches 5A poll this past week by back-to-back losses to 6A Vista Ridge (63-48) and 4A Burnet (65-56) prior to the victory over 3-9 Victoria East. Hendrickson, which posted a 32-7 record last season, returned district MVP Mikayla Ward, a 5-foot-6 senior, along with two standout younger performers in 6-1 sophomore Zoe Nelson and 5-7 junior Sarah Malinowski this year. Both Malinkowski and Nelson were second-team all-district choices a year ago for a team that reached the regional finals before being eliminated five points short of a trip to the UIL State Tournament.
As for the Lady Eagles, Farney saw improvement in the win over Victoria East from their loss in Burnet on Friday night when her team was burned by the 3-point shooting (eight success) and a 23 of 31 performance at the line by the Bulldogs. “I was glad that we got more production from the perimeter today,” Farney said of the victory over East. “We improved in several areas over Friday night. I thought MacKenzy (6-0 junior Mouton) continued to show improvement.” In relation to the improved outside shooting performance, sophomore guard Graci Harris was a key factor in the victory as she led all scorers with 18 points, including a four-of-six effort beyond the arc. She was a total seven of 11 from the floor as the Lady Eagles shot 40 percent (17 of 42) on field goal attempts.Mouton, 5-11 senior Jaelyn Knight both scored nine of GHS’ points and 5-10 junior McCall Hampton added eight points and a game-high eight rebounds.
Georgetown got all five of its 3-point shots in the first 17 minutes of the game with junior Maya Perry putting down the other as GHS led 35-16 with seven minutes and eight seconds remaining in the third quarter. East, which is coached by former University of Texas and Victoria High standout Yulonda Wimbish-North, made a move to pull itself back into the game, but could get no closer than 45-35 with 2:27 remaining with a comeback led by Giani Wimbish-Gay and Zakri Perry, who both finished with 12 points. Perry also had a team-high seven rebounds for the Titans.Georgetown closed out the game by scoring the final seven points in the closing 2:07, including a pair of field goals by Hampton.
In Friday’s loss to Burnet, Georgetown led 13-7 at the end of the first quarter and 32-27 at the half. The Lady Eagles’ final three points of the half came a last-second shot by junior guard Kylee Ellsworth that was launched beyond midcourt. However, the host Bulldogs came back to lead 48-47 after three quarters on the strength of a 3-pointer by Trynadee Greenwell. GHS regained the lead at 49-48 by a basket by Hampton, but a 3-pointer by Emma Lewis put Burnet back on top to stay at 51-49 with seven minutes remaining. From that point, the Bulldogs outscored GHS, 14-7.Lewis led Burnet with 24 points and Paris Brinkley and Greenwell added in 17 and 15 points, respectively. Four of Lewis’ eight baskets were from beyond the arc. Hampton paced GHS with 15 points and six boards, while Ellsworth added 14 points. Georgetown shot 47 percent from the floor (23 of 49), but that included only three makes in 19 3-point attempts.
In a game in which 39 total fouls were called — 24 on the Lady Eagles — GHS was seven of 11 at the line, while the home-town Bulldogs enjoyed their 31 attempts with 23 makes. After playing Hendrickson on Saturday, the Lady Eagles will travel to Kyle to play 6A Lehman at 7 p.m. Monday before competing in its own Jack Frost Invitational Tournament on Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 29-Dec. 1. Lehman, picked seventh in nine-team 25-6A, stands 3-6 on the season.
In sub-varsity action at Victoria East, the GHS JV and Freshman Blue outscored their counterparts by a 103-9 margin. The Blue dominated 59-1 and the JV took a 44-8 decision. The Freshman Blue allowed the East Freshman their only point in the first quarter as the final three quarters of the game were played with a running clock. Four Lady Eagles scored in double figures — Sheila Lee, 12; Kristin Lott, 11; Dylann Jones, 10; and Lauren Cavanaugh, 10.
In the JV game, GHS built a 33-4 advantage by the half. Junior Mercedes Robledo led the scoring with 14 points. The game also marker the return to action of junior point guard Kylee Sander, who had been sidelined for several games with an leg injury. Saturday’s sub-varsity schedule with Hendrickson has the JV and Freshman Blue playing at noon.
FRIDAY’S NON-DISTRICT GAME
At Burnet
Varsity BURNET 65, GEORGETOWN 58
GHS (58) — Maya Perry 0-1 0-0 0, Ali Isbell 0-2 0-0 0, Hailey Smith 2-9 0-0 5, Samari O’Brien 1-3 1-2 3, Kylee Ellsworth 6-13 0-0 14, Graci Harris 0-2 0-0 0, MacKenzy Mouton 4-4 0-1 8, Jaelyn Knight 2-4 1-9 5, Jade Smith 1-2 4-4 6, McCall Hampton 7-9 1-2 15, Alicia King 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 23-49 (46 percent) 7-11 (63 persent) 56.
BURNET (65) — Caitlynn Graves 0-4 1-2 1, Kyli Davis 0-1 0-0 0, Paris Brinkley 3-8 9-9 17, Hatti Blair 0-4 2-2 2, Emma Lewis 8-12 4-5 24, McKenna Gilmore 0-1 0-0 0, Trynadee Greenwell 5-9 3-6 15, Kendal Connolly 0-2 4-4 4, Grayce Bennett 1-3 0-0 2, Kathleen Fipps 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 17-45 (37 percent) 23-31 (74 percent) 65.
Halftime: 27-27. 3-point shooting: GHS 3-19 (Perry 0-1, Isbell 0-1, H. Smith 1-7, O’Brien 0-1, Ellsworth 2-6, Harris 0-2, Knight 0-1); BHS 8-23 (Graves 0-4, Davis 0-1`, Brinkley 2-3, Blair 0-3, Lewis 4-8, Gilmore 0-1, Greenwell 2-2, Bennett 0-1). Rebounds: GHS 25 (Hampton 6, Mouton 5, J. Smith 4, Perry 2, O’Brien 2, Ellsworth 2); BHS 14. Assists: GHS 11 (Ellsworth 4, O’Brien 2, Mouton 2). Steals: GHS 12 (Ellsworth 4, J. Smith 3). Blocks: GHS 4 (J. Smith 2, Knight 1. Mouyon 1). Turnovers: GHS 19. Total fouls: GHS 24, 15. Fouled out: none. Technical fouls: None. Records: Georgetown, 4-4; Burnet, 3-1.
MONDAY’S NON-DISTRICT GAME
At Victoria East
Varsity
GEORGETOWN 52, VICTORIA EAST 35
GHS (52) — Mia Perry 1-3 0-0 3, Ali Isbell 0-2 0-0 0, Hailey Smith 0-3 2-2 2, Samari O’Brien 0-1 0-0 0, Kylee Ellsworth 0-3 3-4 4, Graci Harris 7-11 0-0 18, MacKenzy Mouton 3-4 3-6 9, Jaelyn Knight 3-8 3-6 9, J. Smith 0-0 0-0 0, McCall Hampton 3-7 2-2 8, Alicia King 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 17-42 (40 percent) 13-20 (65 percent) 52.
EAST (35) — Madison Ussery 0-4 0-0 0, Giani Wimbish-Gay 5-14 2-7 12, Azlyn Rodriguez 0-0 0-0 0, Renae Mendieta 2-12 2-2 6, Jriaha Moore 1-2 1-2 4, Zakari Perry 1-7 10-10 12, Trinity Wallace 0-5 1-2 1. Totals: 9-44 (20percent) 15-23 (69 percent) 335.
Halftime: GHS, 30-16. 3-point scoring: GHS 5-16 (Perry 1-3, Isbell 0-2, H. Smith 0-2, Ellsworth 0-3, Harris 4-6); VE 1-11 (Ussery 0-2, Wimbish-Gay 0-3, Mendieta 0-4, Moore 1-1, Perry 0-1). Rebounds: GHS 29 (Hampton 8, Knight 5, Mouton 4, Ellsworth 3, Perry 2, H. Smith 2, O’Brien 2); VE 21 (Perry 7, Wimbish-Gay 5, Wallace 4). Assists: GHS 11 (Ellsworth 3, Mouton 2, Knight 2). Steals: GHS 17 (Ellsworth 4, H. Smith 2, Harris 2, Knight 2, King 2); VE 8 (Wimbish-Gay 5). Blocks: GHS 3 (Mouton 1, J. Smith 12, Hampton 1). Turnovers: GHS 19. Total fouls: GHS 17, VE 14. Fouled out: VE, Perry (1:25, fourth). Records: Georgetown, 5-4; Victoria East, 3-9.
Note: Statistics provided by Lady Eagles Basketball.
Sub-Varsity
(GHS scoring only)
GEORGETOWN JV 44, VICTORIA EAST JV 8 — Jordan Stout 0, Kattie Sander 0, Kylee Sander 7, Hailey Sander 0, Reece Johnson 2, Grace Kearney 0, McKenna Jansen 0, Vytorya Lehr 8, Mercedes Robledo 14, Megan Herring 8, Lauren Woodard 5, Maddie LaCour 0. Halftime: GHS, 33-4. GHS record: 6-2.
GEORGETOWN 59, VICTORIA EAST FRESHMAN 1 — Samantha Folsom 0, Jacqui Spencer 4, Ella Vickers 3, Kristin Lott 11, Morgan Larson 6, Lauren Cavanaugh 10, Sheila Lee 12, Abagail Rutlege 0, Baylie Foster 3, Dylann Foster 10. Halftime: GHS, 34-1. GHS record: 7-1.
EAST VIEW SUB-VARSITY TOURNAMENT
(GHS scoring only)
JUNIOR VARSITY DIVISION
Opening Rounds
COPPERAS COVE JV 27, GEORGETOWN JV 23 — Stout 0, Bailey Miller 0, Hanson 2, Johnson 0, Kearney 0, Lehr 2, Robledo 10, Herring 2, Woodard 7. Halftime: Cove. 10-6. GHS record: 2-2.
GEORGETOWN JV 20, PFLUGERVILLE HENDRICKSON JV 7 — Stout 0, Hanson 0. Jansen 1, Kearney 0, Lehr 3, Robledo 12, Herring 2, Woodard 2. Halftime: Hendrickson, 12-9. Halftime: 3-2.
GEORGETOWN JV 43, BUDA HAYS JV 25 — Stout 0, Miller 5, Hanson 7, Kearney 3, Natalie Hutchens 0, Lehr 6, Robledo 5, Herring 7, Woodard 8, LaCour 2. Halftime: GHS, 21-19. GHS record: 4-2.
Consolation Championship
GEORGETOWN JV 36, BELTON JV 18 — Stout 3, Ka. Sander 0, Miller 0, Hanson 2, Kearney 0, Hutchens 1, Lehr 3, Robledo 17, Herring 4, Woodard 3, LaCour 1. Halftime: GHS, 18-14. GHS record: 5-2.
FRESHMAN DIVISION
Freshman Blue
Opening Rounds
GEORGETOWN BLUE 49, COPPERAS COVE FRESHMEN 28 — Folsom 2,, Spencer 5. Vickers 8, Lott 8, Cavanaugh 11, Lee 5, Foster 4, Jones 6. Halftime: Cove, 14-13. GHS record: 4-0.
GEORGETOWN BLUE 36, CEDAR PARK FRESHMAN 22 — Folsom 2, Spencer 0, Vickers 3, Lott 9, Cavanaugh 12, Lee 4, Foster 0, Jones 6. Halftime: GHS, 18-13. GHS record: 5-0.
GEORGETOWN BLUE 51, BUDA HAYS FRESHMAN 28 — Folsom 0, Spencer 2, Vickers 8, Lott 9, Cavanaugh 8, Lee 9, Foster 3, Jones 12. Halftime: GHS, 21-18. GHS record: 6-0.
Championship Game
KILLEEN ELLISON 46, GEORGETOWN BLUE 39 — Folsom 0, Spencer 2, Vickers 9, Lott 3, Cavanaugh 12, Lee 4, Foster 4, Jones 5. Halftime: Ellison, 35-25. GHS record: 6-1.
Freshman White
Tournament Games
GEORGETOWN FRESHMAN WHITE 37, ROUND ROCK FRESHMAN 16 — Avery Tisdell 2, Morgan Larson 6, Abagail Rutledge 4, Aryana Hill 4, Talaya Roston 6, Emma Miller 2, Emyris Mims 13. Halftime: GHS 18-10. GHS record: 1-2.
LAKE TRAVIS FRESHMAN 51, GEORGETOWN WHITE 22 — Larson 7, Rutledge 7, Hill 0, Roston 2, Miller 2, Mims 4. Halftime: GHS, 27-15. GHS record: 1-3.
Note: Sub-varsity game results and statistics provided by Lady Eagles Basketball.
UPCOMING LADY EAGLES SCHEDULE
Single games
Saturday, Nov. 24 — Pflugerville Hendrickson, 1:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 26 — at Kyle Lehman, 7 p.m.
Jack Frost Tournament
At Eagle Gym
Thursday, Nov. 29 (Pool Play) — Austin Akins, noon; Killeen, 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30 (Pool Play) — San Antonio Incarnate Word, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 — Schedule depends on outcome of pool competition
TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF BASKETBALL COACHES
CLASS 5A TOP 25
- Mansfield Timberview. 2. Fort Bewnd Hightower. 3. Amarillo. 4. Manvel. 5. Kerrville Tivy. 6. San Antonio Veterans Memorial. 7. Birdville. 8. Cedar Park. 9. Frisco Lone Star. 10. Dallas South Oak Cliff. 11. Midlothian. 12. Austin Crockett. 13. The Colony. 14. Lubbock Cooper. 15. Corpus Christi Flour Bluff. 16. Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial. 17. Mansfield Legacy. 18. Saginaw Boswell. 19. Royse City. 20. Princeton. 21. Richmond Foster. 22. Waller. 23. College Station. 24. Crowley. 25. Pflugerville.
TEXAS GIRLS COACHES ASSOCIATION
CLASS 5A TOP 15
A new poll had not been released by noon Wednesday.