Balanced attack, defense keeps Argyle’s hopes alive for sixth straight state title

Argyle star and SMU commit Rhyle McKinney took another step toward earning her fourth state championship ring as the Eagles pulled away from Fredericksburg 49-38 in a Class 4A semifinal Friday at the Alamodome.

Argyle (33-6), No. 5 in the final TABC Class 4A state poll, will be vying for their sixth consecutive state title and seventh overall when it faces No. 11 Fairfield (34-4) at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

“Missed a lot of shots in the first quarter that we typically make. But we played good defense,” Argyle coach Chance Westmoreland said. “Third quarter we had to lock in and make it hard on them and the girls did a great job. We outscored them 16-9 that helped build that cushion we needed.”

It will be Fairfield’s first trip to the championship game. Argyle has won in the semifinals in each of the nine trips they’ve made it to state. including the last seven seasons.

The Eagles, who won their 41st playoff game in a row, couldn’t shake the Battlin’ Billies early.

Fredericksburg (26-9) matched the Eagles shot for shot and even took a 21-17 lead with 1:33 left in the half on 1 of 2 first-half 3-pointers by Ella Hartmann. Hartmann led Fredericksburg with 18 points, including 3 of 6 from beyond the arc.

McKinney, who finished with 20 points, five assists, five rebounds and three blocks, rallied the Eagles. A pair of free throws, a steal and bucket by McKinney was followed by a 3-pointer from Brooklyn Carl to give Argyle a 24-21 lead at the half.

“Everybody was super confident and once we got a few buckets and Brooklyn hit a three, we got a lead that we could handle them the whole game,” McKinney said.

The Eagles never trailed again.

While McKinney, whose 20 points matched her season average, was scoring and setting up teammates on the offensive end, junior Shelby Henches was shutting down Billies’ top scorer Audrey Spurgin.

Spurgin came in averaging 14.6 points per game, but Henches’ work at fronting Spurgin, and back-side help from her guards, helped Henches limit the 6-foot-1 junior to four points.

“Defense started in the paint and Shelby did an unbelievable job on their post player. She made it tough on her all night long and it’s what we had to have tonight,” Westmoreland said.

Henches had four steals on entry passes when Fredericksburg was trying to feed Spurgin.

Argyle steadily pulled away after the half and built its lead to 16 after a McKinney assisted 3-pointer by Bailey Timmons upped the lead to 49-33 with 3:55 left.

Henches had eight points and four rebounds. Carl hit three 3-pointers and added six assists. The Eagles were outscored 11-0 on second-chance buckets, but led 22-8 on points in the paint and got 14 points off 16 forced turnovers.

“Coming in today I was super nervous and I’ve been super nervous the past couple games,” Henches said. “My teammates have gotten me through it. I owe it all to them.”

This story was originally published March 6, 2020 at 5:40 PM.