Westside, Cypress Creek head to semifinals
The regional quarterfinals is often a round for matchups like Westside and Jersey Village. Two 30-win district champions, both ranked in the top 10 in Class 6A by the Texas Girls Coaches Association.
Unfortunately, only one could advance. Senior Jessica Soders made two free throws with 11 seconds remaining to end a classic and send Westside to its second Region III-6A Tournament in five years.
The Wolves rallied from a double-digit deficit and battled through a tense fourth quarter for a 58-56 victory Tuesday night at the Merrell Center in Katy. Neither team led by more than three points, which was Westside at 5350 on Helena Johnson’s threepointer.
Jersey Village received a goahead three from Briana Peguero for a 55-53 lead, the Falcons’ last advantage. Soders turned a Jordon Lewis steal into game-tying free throws with 1:02 remaining.
The teams exchanged free throws before Soders’ final shots. The Wolves held on for the final 11 seconds, with a long three-pointer rimming out.
“It was crazy,” Westside senior Kayla Pilson said. “I was just counting down the seconds in my head playing defense, just waiting. It was exciting.”
Pilson led the Wolves with 20 points, with Lewis adding 14 and Fatou Samb adding eight points and double figures in rebounds.
The Falcons controlled the second quarter behind Kayleigh Truong, who finished with 18 points. Gia Adams scored 13 points, while Peguero had 10.
“Our goal was to attack and get them in foul trouble, shoot free throws,” Soders said. “It made it an easier game for us.”
CYPRESS CREEK 71, KATY 41
The defending Region III-6A champions will again be among the elite field of four after a convincing, 71-41 victory against District 19-6A champion Katy at Merrell Center.
The Cougars scored the first nine points of the game, with sophomore Rori Harmon scoring six straight and later making her second steal and finish of the first quarter for a 16-7 lead.
Then it was Kyndall Hunter’s turn. The smooth sophomore scored 11 consecutive points to help break the game open.
Hunter finished with a gamehigh 24 points as Cy Creek improved to 34-5 and booked a return trip to the Merrell Center for the regional semifinals on Feb. 22.
Katy was led by Rachel Williams (13 points) and Kassidy Weaver (12). The Tigers showed more of the play during the second half that produced a second area championship in three years and the first district crown in 21 years.
OTHER GAMES
Summer Creek defeated Clear Springs in a 62-53 win and gets defending regional champion Cypress Creek in the III-6A semifinal at 6 p.m. Friday. This is a rematch of last year’s regional title game. Atascocita defeated Pearland 5129 which sets up a date against Westside at 7:30 p.m. Friday.…
District 24-5A took center stage on Monday with all four playoff teams – Manvel, Foster, Hightower and Shadow Creek – making the regional quarterfinals.
Hightower bested Foster 64-44 while Manvel topped Shadow Creek 66-51 for regional semifinal berths.
It’s Hightower’s first appearance since 2010. The Lady Hurricanes meet Magnolia West. Manvel has been a regular in the regional tournament. It’s the Lady Mavs’ fourth berth since 2011. They face College Station.