The drive is for four-for-four. What that means is that since coach Teri Morrison arrived at Carroll four years ago, her girls basketball program has won or shared the district championship in each of her first three.
The script hasn't been written for 2012-2013. However, the Lady Dragons (18-9, 10-1 in 4-5A) are in position to capture their fourth consecutive title. Already done with Richland, the Lady Dragons played Keller (9-2) on Tuesday and had a chance to create some separation. Carroll has already clinched a playoff berth."I was hired to do a job," Morrison said. "I've always set some parameters and we strive for consistency. And the idea is that little things become big things. It's a blessing to be around really good kids."The Lady Dragons entered Tuesday's game on a nine-game winning streak. Outside of a scare from Keller Timber Creek (41-40), the Lady Dragons have crushed the opposition, winning by an average margin of 29 points. They paid back Richland - the only team to beat Carroll in district play - 50-36 on Jan. 22.And that's doing this without Danielle Lepicier (ACL) and Lexi Smith (broken arm). Both have been lost for the season. If Carroll beat Keller on Tuesday, the Lady Dragons close the season with winnable games Friday at Keller Fossil Ridge and next Tuesday against Haltom."We've been fortunate to win a lot," Morrison said, "but the goal is to help the kids be successful. Now, they're trying to something special. That sounds hokey, but it really does mean a lot."A first for Morrison, CarrollWhile the 77-31 victory over Northwest last Friday was more of a formality than anything else, the byproduct was the statistical oddity.Kennedy Leonard and Gretchen Morrison each scored more than 20 points, something that has never been done since Morrison has been in charge of this program. Leonard finished with a game-high 26. Morrison had 25. The two sizzled from inside the three-point line. Leonard was 8-of-10, while Morrison was 5-of-5. But then again, they weren't too bad from long distance, either. Leonard was 3-of-9, while Morrison was 5-of-11."That was way cool," Morrison said. "The good thing is that really we did a great job of sharing the ball. The two of them were right in the middle of doing that. In fact, Kennedy was more concerned about what she did about her assists line (10) because she wanted to make sure she was getting others involved."Morrison said the team had a good week of practice before the Northwest game and said the movement in her offense is as solid as it has been all season.Lepicier's ... er ... Smith's replacementJunior Savannah Nauwelaers came on to the scene full-time two weeks ago when Lexi Smith went down to injury."She's got a role and she's getting used to it," Morrison said. "It's an adjustment, going from part-time starter to full-time starter. But she's giving us minutes, rebounds, steals and good work on the floor."Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
