Fort Worth Western Hills advanced to the Class 4A area round for a second consecutive season, this time by defeating Springtown 51-41 in a bi-district girls basketball game Monday at Haltom High School.
The Cougars (27-6) were led by junior guard Crystal Jones' 22 points, which included 4 of 4 on 3-point shots in the first half. She made 5 of 6 from long range for the game, and added four steals.
"We hadn't shot that well most of the year, but I guess she found the range and made the shots," coach Maurice McWilliams said. "Crystal got in a good rhythm."
Western Hills, which meets tonight's Granbury vs. Waco winner in the next round, also got nine points and four blocks from senior forward Deza Ashton and nine points, 11 rebounds and four assists from senior forward Taylor Rhodes.
Springtown (18-16) was led by junior forward Becca Dauenhauer's 22 points and six rebounds.
Southlake Carroll 56, Plano 52: Senior guard Caitlin Barrett made the final points on two free throws with 12 seconds left as the Dragons (30-3) beat the Wildcats (22-10) in a 5A bi-district game at Carrollton Smith High School.
Plano had cut the deficit to 54-52 with 37 seconds left, but Barrett rebounded the Wildcats' missed shot and was fouled. Barrett scored five points for the game.
Carroll coach Teri Morrison said Plano was the biggest team the Dragons had played all season, and the Wildcats led 27-23 at halftime.
"We did run them a little bit with our second-half offense," Morrison said. "We hit some shots and created more movement to get better looks."
Freshman point guard Kennedy Leonard led the Dragons with 17 points. She also drew two charging calls, blocked a shot and had five assists.
Aledo 58, FW Southwest 37: Junior guard Mallory Powell scored 28 points to lead the Bearcats (29-4) past the Raiders (16-17) in a 4A bi-district game at Burleson High.
Aledo built an 18-7 lead after the first period, and coach Rusty Johnson credited sophomore forward Kaylee Black with leading the early surge by scoring two baskets on putbacks -- her only points of the night. Black made her first start of the season, filling in for an injured teammate.
Senior guard Alanna Martin scored 11 for Aledo, and teammate Alyssa Dry added 10. JaNysha Childers led Southwest with 19.