Girls basketball roundup: Mansfield Summit, Southlake Carroll, more secure big wins
The Texas high school girls’ basketball playoff races are starting to take shape.
There were several high-profile contests from around the greater Fort Worth area. Here is a roundup of results and things to know.
Mansfield Summit’s smothering defense shines vs. Centennial
The Burleson Centennial girl’s basketball team was playing for its playoff life on Friday night, Jan. 24. The Spartans needed a win against district front-runner Mansfield Summit, the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches’ No. 10 Class 5A squad, to help bolster their chances.
The Spartans hung tough early, but a smothering Summit defense took its toll in the second half as Summit pulled away for a 63-34 win in a District 8-5A contest at Centennial High School.
Centennial (13-17 overall, 4-7 district) will now need to win out and hope that either Everman or Cleburne stumble in hopes of forcing a play-in game for the final playoff berth. Summit (25-5, 11-0) has already clinched a playoff berth and is on the doorstep of a district title.
Centennial went on a 6-0 run early in the second quarter to cut the Summit lead to 16-14. But the Jaguars responded with a 25-5 run to pull out to a 41-19 lead with 2:51 left in the third period.
Lily Sheppard sparked the spree with a pair of baskets as part of her team-high 15 points. Jamie Walker scored eight of her 10 points during the run.
Centennial super sophomore Layla Levels scored 17 points, including three baskets from beyond the arc, with Carly Reed adding nine points for the Spartans.
Alvarado girls basketball narrowly defeats Waxahachie Life
Alvarado girls basketball is currently fifth in District 12-4A.
The Indians (12-17, 3-6) need all the wins they can get to make the playoffs. On Friday, Jan. 24, they narrowly defeated Waxahachie Life 38-36 to improve their playoff chances. Junior power forward McKayla Norris led the way, finishing with a team-high 15 points.
Ferris (11-14, 4-5) is just ahead of Alvarado in the district standings. The Yellowjackets and Indians will clash in the regular season finale, and it could potentially be for the last playoff spot.
Hurst L.D. Bell takes down Keller Central
In an ultra-competitive District 4-6A, Hurst L.D. Bell (17-11, 8-5) hopes to earn a playoff spot.
The Blue Raiders, with an emphatic 56-37 victory over Keller Central, moved into fourth place. If they can maintain their position, they’ll have the chance to compete in the postseason.
Bell is competing with Timber Creek (19-10, 8-5) and Haslet Eaton (16-9, 8-4) for positioning. Against the Chargers, junior guard Hannah Due led the way with 20 points.
Southlake Carroll continues success, defeats Northwest
The Southlake Carroll girls jumped out to an early lead and then coasted to a 55-44 win over Justin Northwest in a District 4-6A game at Carroll High School.
Carroll (20-9 overall, 11-3 district) has all but assured itself of a playoff berth and remains solidly in second place in the district. Northwest fell to 10-21 overall and 1-12 in league play.
Carroll led 16-4 after one quarter and 31-14 at the half. Angelina Bouley led the Dragons with 12 points, and Payton Lee chipped in 11. Whitney Jense and Katah Gunter had nine points each for Carroll.
Avery McClung, a nominee for Star-Telegram Player of the Week, led all scorers with 19 points for Northwest.
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