Girls basketball: Eaton makes school history, Byron Nelson continues dominance, more
The Texas high school girls’ basketball regular season concludes on Tuesday, Feb. 4.
Here are the things to know from teams around the Fort Worth-area ahead of the playoffs.
Eaton defeats Keller, makes playoffs for first time in school history
Heading into the final regular season game, Eaton needed a win to solidify its spot as District 4-6A’s final playoff team. Without one, the Eagles wouldn’t control their own destiny.
Eaton capitalized on the opportunity, defeating Keller to extend its season and make the playoffs for the first time in school history. The Eagles also won 20 games for the first time in school history.
Junior Taylor Reed led the way with 15 and juniors Erin Jacinto and Mika Welsh were also key contributors with 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Eaton will face North Crowley in the Class 6A Division I bracket bi-district round at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 10, at Arlington ISD Arena.
Byron Nelson sweeps District 4-6A
Despite being unranked by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches, Byron Nelson girls basketball secured a sweep of District 4-6A to secure an undefeated district title. The Bobcats (25-8, 16-0) will face Mansfield Legacy (22-13, 8-3) in the bi-district round on Monday, Feb. 10 at Richland High School.
“I think we’re ready,” coach Tracie “TRobb” Robins said. “We have some really good pieces. And if we can put it all together, and eventually get there, I think we should have a good run.”
Byron Nelson won only three games last season, finishing sixth in district. Now, they are undefeated champions after quite the season-to-season turnaround.
“I’m so proud of our hard work and the way we were able to get here after last season,” Robins said. “It was a huge turnaround. The girls have worked very hard for this. They deserve it.”
Leading the charge is junior forward Belle Ratliff, who is averaging a team-high 18.3 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. She shoots 37% from three-point range.
“She is one of the hardest workers on the team,” Robbins said. “She is a leader. She is always trying to do everything for our team to win. She is very special.”
Girls’ athletics at Byron Nelson have been dominant. In addition to the stellar basketball run, the volleyball program swept through the Class 6A Division II playoffs to claim a state championship.
Everman takes final playoff berth with win over Cleburne
The Everman girls basketball team went on a 14-point run right out the gate, but had to hold off Cleburne 35-33 on Tuesday night, February 4, at Cleburne High School.
The win for Everman (15-13 overall, 7-7 District 8-5A) clinches the final playoff berth since the Bulldogs swept Cleburne (19-15, 7-7), winning 50-45 on January 11.
Arissa Turner opened the scoring for the Yellow Jackets with a three pointer, but Everman’s Chasia Allen scored five of her game-high 11 points during a run that saw the Bulldogs pull out to a 14-3 lead with 4:57 left in the second quarter.
Cleburne battled back with a 10-0 run of its own starting late in the second quarter and into the third period to tie the game at 21-21 at the 3:29 mark of the third period.
It was back and forth from that point. Lauryn Carrizales hit a pair of buckets, the latter with 2:49 left in the game, to give the Yellow Jackets a 33-30 lead, but Cleburne wouldn’t score the rest of the game.
Jordawn Wilson hit two baskets and Allen added a free thrown to seal the win.
Avah Marcozzi led Cleburne with 10 points.
Joshua ends Burleson Centennial’s playoff hopes
The Burleson Centennial girls had a chance to force a three-way tie for the final playoff berth in District 8-5A. But the Spartans went cold in the third quarter which allowed Joshua to pull out to a comfortable lead as the Owls went on to down Centennial 51-35 on Tuesday night, February 4, at Centennial High School.
With Everman’s win over Cleburne, Centennial (15-18 overall, 6-8 district) still had a chance for the final playoff berth if they could have pulled it out against second-place Joshua (20-15, 10-4).
Auburn Aton scored 16 of her game-high 25 points in the first half hitting four three pointers in the process. Hadley Soto scored all eight of her points in the third quarter as the Owls out scored the Spartans 14-3 to pull out to a 40-22 lead.
Kyla Mohan led Centennial with nine points.
This story was originally published February 4, 2025 at 7:51 PM.
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