Sports digest

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL

Martin won its second-to-last game of the season on the road at North Crowley last Friday. The 52-42 final didn't reflect how tough North Crowley played, particularly in the fourth quarter.

The home team outscored Martin 16-10 in the final period, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Lady Warriors' dominant second quarter, which they won 19-2.

Leading the way in scoring for the Lady Warriors was Bailey Carpenter with 12 points, followed by Emily Slagle and Lexis Weber with 11 each.

The Lady Warriors entered the week tied for second place with North Crowley.

-- Stephen English

Defensive pressure was all the district-champion Bowie Lady Volunteers needed to roll past Lamar 67-30 and continue their undefeated run through 3-5A last Friday.

However, almost as important to Bowie was notching its first victory at Lamar in two years.

"It's a great feeling," Bowie coach Kelly Carruthers said. "We haven't won here in two years. We came in with a goal in mind and that goal was to start out strong and finish strong."

Bowie (28-5, 13-0 in 3-5A) opened with a strong, full-court press and allowed Lamar (14-17, 8-5) to score only eight points in the first quarter.

Lamar turnovers became quick Bowie baskets by Jazmine Holman and Ashley Ferguson, who scored six points apiece in the opening quarter.

"Our defense turns into our offense, so we strive on full-court pressure, man-to-man, 94 feet," Carruthers said. "We look for steals, and we look for deflections, and our speed turns them into layups, so that's what we're looking for."

Ferguson finished with a game-high 17 points after the hot start.

Bowie also rode the deep scoring touch of Kaylen Taylor, who scored 12 points, all off 3-pointers, including three in the fourth quarter.

Elsie Ngomi led Lamar with nine points.

Carruthers said it's her team's unity that sets it apart from the past two teams that failed to win at Lamar and has kept this season's team undefeated in district play.

"They have a great bond," she said. "They get along really well, almost too well. They're just a great group of kids, and they work hard. They all have one goal in mind, and they put the team first."

The Bowie girls entered this week and their final game Tuesday 13-0 in district. They faced Sam Houston on Tuesday after the press deadline.

-- Travis L. Brown

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL

Three out of the five Arlington programs would be in the playoffs if the season ended last Friday. Unfortunately for them, they entered this week with three games left on their schedules.

Behind first-place North Crowley were Bowie and Martin tied at 9-2 and Lamar hanging onto fourth place at 6-5.

Arlington still has an outside shot at a playoff berth if a few things go in the Colts' favor to end the season. Arlington has just one fewer district win than Lamar.

For Sam Houston, a season of struggles will wrap soon. The Texans entered this week with no wins in district.

ARLINGTON SOCCER

The Arlington Soccer Association is seeking volunteers for two board positions, along with committee members and age-group directors.

The board positions are vice president of development, which oversees the coaching and training directors, and vice president of public relations, which works with sponsors and promotes the organization.

Members of the various committees and the age-group directors also work as board members on duty for a few hours per month at the soccer fields.

Information: sarah@arlingtonsoccer.org or www.arlingtonsoccer.org.

OPTIMIST BASEBALL

Registration for baseball for ages 4-14 through the Optimist Club of Arlington is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at the Optimist Hut, 310 E. Third Street at Mary Street.

Sign-ups continue Saturdays through Feb. 23.

Online registration: www.ocasports.org

YMCA YOUTH SPORTS

Registration is under way for the YMCA of Arlington's spring soccer and youth volleyball leagues.

Soccer sign-ups end Feb. 9. Activities are offered for age 3 through eighth grade. The season begins March 9.

Volleyball sign-ups end Feb. 16, with activities offered for grades 3-12. The season begins March 30.

Information: www.ymca-arlington.org

LITTLE LEAGUE

Arlington Southwest Little League is offering online registration for spring.

Play begins in March, and all games are played at Martin Luther King Jr. Sports Center.

Register at www.aswll.com.

-- Stephen English

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