Hunter’s 3-pointers pace Cypress Creek
The last two Region III-6A girls basketball champions clashed in the semifinals Friday at Merrell Center. Kyndall Hunter made it known from the first shot the advantage is still with Cypress Creek.
Hunter made all seven of her 3-point shots, some from a few feet beyond the arc, as the Cougars defeated Summer Creek 70-41 to return to the regional final. Cy Creek faces the winner of Saturday’s semifinal between Tompkins and Shadow Creek.
The 2020 state finalists improved to 30-0, one victory away from their third state tournament in four years. Summer Creek interrupted the Cougars’ streak in the 2019 regional semifinals but fell too far behind early to challenge in the rematch.
Hunter led all scorers with 27 points and made four 3-pointers in the first quarter alone. Cy Creek led 11-0 just 90 seconds into the game after a steal and finish by Rori Harmon and a 3-pointer by Haleen Harris.
The Cougars led 22-4 after one quarter and 33-7 late in the second quarter before Summer Creek (17-7) finally made their second field goal. Cy Creek also had 14 steals, led by Harmon’s five to go with her 19 points and team-high 10 rebounds.
“We hang our hat on our defense,” Cy Creek coach Jennifer Alexander said. “We know we can score the ball. Defensively, a great big start, and it fueled our offense.”
Anahlynn Murray started the second half with baskets for Summer Creek, which closed within 35-19, but Harmon and Jasmyn Jackson drove a 12-0 run to put the game out of reach.
Kaitlyn Duhon led the Bulldogs with 18 points and 10 rebounds, sparking a 10-0 run in the fourth quarter. Malikiya Thomas added seven rebounds, while Tianna Rhodes had five points and three steals.
Summer Creek ended another impressive season that included the District 21-6A championship. The Bulldogs defeated Pasadena Memorial 81-37, Dickinson 53-34 and Clear Creek 37-32 to advance to the regional semifinals.
Cy Creek had nine players score, with more contributing offensively in the second half. Krishawn Lee finished with seven points and a block to lead the bench.
“It’s all 10,” Alexander said. “When you step on the floor, be ready to play, ready to step up. When your number is called, make plays on both ends of the floor.”
College Station eliminates Foster
The best girls basketball season in Foster history came to close Friday at Merrell Center, as College Station used a superb second half to defeat the Falcons 55-45 in the Region III-5A semifinals.
The District 19-5A champions will play 18-5A champion Pflugerville Hendrickson or 21-5A champion Beaumont United in the regional final.
Jaeden McMillin led a balanced Cougars scoring effort with 15 points, adding six rebounds and two blocks. Jayden Davenport recorded a double-double with 17 rebounds and 13 points. Na’Layjah Johnson scored 14 points, and Aliyah Collins had 10, along with a team-high six assists.
Kaiya Wynn’s 22 points led Foster, while Alicia Blanton turned in 17 points, 11 rebounds and four steals to close a stellar varsity career. Collins Clark added four points, five rebounds and four steals for the Falcons, who led 27-24 at halftime and later stayed in the game by forcing turnovers.
Wynn had nine points in the first quarter, including a three-point play for a 15-10 lead, Foster’s largest of the game. Neither team led by more than one possession in the second quarter, with a driving basket by Wynn and two free throws maintaining Foster’s slim halftime edge.
The Falcons led 30-26 when College Station used a 12-0 run to change the game, led by Collins and Johnson. Down by eight entering the fourth, Foster closed within 44-41 on a basket by Blanton, but a 3-pointer by McMillin swung the momentum as the Cougars used a 9-0 run to put the game away.
Foster finished 23-3, including an undefeated District 24-5A championship and playoff wins against Northside and Barbers Hill, followed by a no-contest in the regional quarterfinal because of COVID-19 cases in the Friendswood program.