Georgetown coach Rhonda Farney has a proven plan to prepare her Lady Eagles for the second and third portions of the season — the district race and the the UIL state playoffs. She wants to play a tough non-district schedule and then see her team begin to jell into a tribe of hardened warriors during the Jack Frost Invitational Tournament.
The host Lady Eagles will take a 6-5 record into the 40th annual Jack Frost, which begins Thursday and runs through Saturday on the Georgetown campus and Southwestern University Robertson Center. GHS is in Pool A with Austin Akins, Killeen and San Antonio Incarnate Word — three teams that currently own sub-.500 records. This is an ideal situation for Farney’s squad as she continues to determine and polish her rotations for the climactic portions of the campaign.
If Georgetown can master Akins at noon Thursday and Killeen at 6 p.m. Thursday and IWA at 7:30 p.m. Friday, they will move into a much tougher realm of competition in Saturday’s semifinals against a representative from Pool B that includes Texas Association of Basketball Coaches state-ranked teams in Corpus Christi Flour Bluff (16th in 5A) and Houston St. Agnes (No. 2 in 6A private schools) along with defending tournament champion Liberty Hill. Georgetown is ranked 17th in the Texas Girls Coaches Association 5A listing. The girls Gold Bracket finals are set for 5 p.m. on Saturday. The Lady Eagles are coming into the Jack Frost off a week in which they made a respectable showing in a 55-41 loss to the state’s No. 1-ranked 6A team Pflugerville Hendrickson (12-0) on Saturday at Eagle Gym and a 62-35 domination of 6A Kyle Lehman on the Lobos’ court on Monday night.
“We needed that one,” Farney said after the win over 3-7 Lehman. “I’m pleased with how we played. (5-foot-9 junior forward) McCall Hampton continued her consistency in both scoring and rebounding. Jaelyn (5-11 forward-post Knight) had one of her better games. We improved on the offensive boards.” Farney also said that she was pleased with junior Kylee Sander’s varsity debut at point guard along with the more aggressive play of her guards (juniors Kylie Ellsworth and Hailey Smith and sophomore Graci Harris) the second-half showings of senior post Jade Smith and senior guard Ali Isbell in the second half.” Georgetown never trailed in the win over Lehman, leading 15-4 after one, 26-14 at the half and 43-22 a the three-quarter mark. The Lady Eagles’ largest lead was 62-33 in the closing seconds against a much-shorter opponent.
GHS enjoyed one of its best shooting nights of the season, making 54 percent (24 of 44). Hampton led the Lady Eagles in both scoring — 23 points — and rebounding — seven boards. Knight added in 16 points and H. Smith had seven. Hampton’s 23 points was a season high for the Lady Eagles, besting her 22 points against Waco Midway.Kayla Presley led Lehman with 12 points as the Lobos only shot 30 percent from the floor. If there was a divot in the Georgetown game, it was a continued higher-than-desired turnover number of 17.
In Friday’s loss to the high-flying Hawks, the Lady Eagles trailed only 14-9 after first quarter and 23-13 at the half, but Hendrickson outscored GHS, 18-7, during the initial seven minutes of the third quarter, taking a 41-20 advantage. Georgetown never cut the deficit to fewer than the final 14-point margin. “I thought we played well in the first half,” Farney said. “I think we’ve made progress since our season opener with Cedar Ridge. We still have work to do.”
Two areas of concern were the Lady Eagles being outrebounded 15-4 on the offensive boards along with 32 turnovers — half the total of the quicker and more athletic Hawks. Georgetown shot just 33 percent (14 of 42) from the floor. Hampton led both the scoring and rebounding column with 15 points and 11 boards. Knight was the Lady Eagles’ No. 2 scorer with eight points. Hendrickson’s Mikayla Woods led all scorers with 25 points. After playing in the Jack Frost, Georgetown will open District 18-5A competition at home against Bastrop at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
In sub-varsity action, GHS won all five games against Hendrickson and Lehman. The Freshman Blue improved its record to 9-1 with a 59-20 win over Hendrickson and a 71-14 dicing of Lehman. Kristin Lott scored 16 points in each game and Dylann Jones had 18 against the first-year Lobos. The JV topped Hendrickson, 64-36, and Lehman, 58-21, to improve to 8-2 on the year. Junior Mercedes Robledo score 20 points against the Hawks and Lauren Woodard had 19 points and Maddie LaCour scored 10 in the win over the Lobos. The Freshman White claimed a 49-8 win over the Lehman B to improve its record to 2-3. Morgan Larson and Emyris Mims led GHS with 22 and 17 points, respectively.
SATURDAY’S NON-DISTRICT GAMES
At Eagle Gym
Varsity
PFLUGERVILLE HENDRICKSON 55, GEORGETOWN 41 HENDRICKSON (55) — Zoe Nelson 1 0-1 2, Hannah Blair 3 0-0 9, Makayla Woods 11 3-3 25, Trenati Paige 0 0-0 0, Sarah Malinowski 5 0-0 12, Naomi Pierce 0 0-0 0, Erika Suarez 0 0-0 0, Gina Pastucci 1 0-0 2, Lanay Fuller 0 0-0 0, Kailey Lacy 2 0-0 5. Totals: 23-64 (25.9 percent) 3-4 (75 percent) 55.
GHS (41) — Maya Perry 0-1 0-0 0. Ali Isbell 1-1 0-0 3, Hailey Smith 1-6 0-0 2, Samari O’Brien 0-0 0-0 0, Kylie Ellsworth 1-6 0-0 6, Graci Harris 2-4 1-1 5, MacKenzy Mouton 3-5 0-0 6, Jaelyn Knight 1-5 6-8 8, Jade Smith 0-1 0-1 1, McCall Hampton 5-9 5-6 15. Totals: 14-42 (33 percent) 12-16 (75 percent) 41. Halftime: PHS, 23-15. 3-point shooting: PHS 6-25 (Blair 3, Malinowski 2, Fuller 1); GHS 1-6 (Isbell 1-1, Perry 0-1, H. Smith 0-1, Ellsworth 0-1, Harris 0-1, Knight 0-1). Rebounds: PHS 30; GHS 22 ( Hampton 11, Mouton 4, J. Smith 3). Assists: GHS 4 (Ellsworth 2). Steals: GHS 11 (Harris 5, Knight 4). Blocks: GHS 2 (Knight 1, J. Smith 1). Turnovers: PHS 16, GHS 32. Total fouls: PHS 18, GHS 7. Fouled out: none. Techincal fouls: PHS, Woods (2:11, fourth); Coach Norma Sierra (2:11, fourth). Records: Pflugerville Hendrickson, 11-0; Georgetown, 5-5. Note: Complete Hendrickson individual statistics unavailable.
Sub-Varsity
(GHS scoring only) GHS JV 64, HENDRICKSON JV 36 — Jordan Stout 0, Kaytie Sander 0, Kylee Sander 6, Hailey Hanson 0, Reece Johnson 4, Grace Kearney 3, Natalie Hurchens 0, Vyctorya Lehr 5, Mercedes Robledo 20, Megan Harring 16, Lauren Woodard 8, Maddie LaCour 2. Halftime: GHS, 34-15. GHS record: 7-2.
GHS FRESHMAN FRESHMAN BLUE 59, HENDRICKSON FRESHMAN A 20 — Samantha Folsom 0, Jacqui Spencer 0, Ella Vickers 9, Kristin Lott 16, Morhan Larson 0. Lauren Cavanaugh 12, Sheila Lee 4, Abagail Rutledge 2, Emma Miller 0, Baylie Foster 8, Dylann Jones 8. Halftime: GHS, 31-7. GHS record: 8-1.
MONDAY’S NON-DISTRICT GAMES
At Kyle Lehman
Varsity
GEORGETOWN 62, KYLE LEHMAN 35
GHS (62) — Maya Perry 0-0 0-0 0, Kylee Sander 1-2 0-0 3, Ali Isbell 0-1 2-4 3, Hailey Smith 3-3 0-0 7, Samari O’Brien 1-1 0-0 3, Kylie Ellsworth 2-4 0-1 5, Graci Harris 1-3 0-0 2, MacKenzy Mouton 0-2 0-0 0, Jaelyn Knight 6-12 4-5 16, Jade Smith 0-1 0-0 0, McCall Hampton 10-15 3-4 23, Alicia King 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 24-44 (54 percent) 10-13 (76 percent) 62.
LEHMAN (35) — Bridgette Ramirez 2-11 0-0 6, Celina Martinez 1-1 0-0 2, Kayla Presley 4-9 2-3 12, Alexis Aguilar 0-3 2-2 2, Alyssa Saucedo 1-8 2-2 4, Clarrisa Ramos 0-0 0-0 0, Bella Gonzalez 1-2 0-2 2, Aspasio Youngbird 1-2 0-0 2, Devora Urea 1-2 0-0 2, Samyia Amani 2-4 0-1 4. Totals: 13-42 (30 percent) 6-10 (60 percent) 35. Halftime: GHS, 26-14. 3-point shooting: GHS 3-10 (Sander 1-2, Isbell 0-1, H. Smith 1-1, O’Brien 1-1, Ellsworth 0-1, Harris 0-2, Knight 0-2); KL 3-17 (Ramirez 1-7, Presley 2-4, Aguilar 0-1, Saucedo 0-5). Rebounds: GHS 24 (Hampton 7, O’Brien 4, J. Smith 3, Ellsworth 3, Sander 2, Knight 2; KL 14 (Rasmirez 3, Presley 3, Aguilar 3).GHS 15 (Knight 3, Isbell 2, H. Smith 2, O’Brien 2, Ellsworth 2). Steals: GHS 16 (Sander 2, H. Smith 2, Ellworth 2, Harris 2, Mouton 2, Knight 2, Hampton 2). Blocks: GHS 3 (J. Smith 2, Mouton 1). Turnovers: GHS 17. Total fouls: GHS 14. KL 16. Fouled out: none. Technical fouls: none. Records: Georgetown, 6-5; Lyle Lehman , 3-7.
Sub-Varsity
(GHS scoring only) GHS JV 58, LEHMAN JV 21 — Jordan Stout 0, Katie Sander 0, Bailey Miller 0, Hailey Hanson 2, Reece Johnson 6, Grace Kearney 0, Natalie Hutchens 2, McKenna Jansen 0, Vyctorya Lehr 4, Mercedes Robledo 9, Megan Herring 6, Lauren Woodard 19, Maddie LaCour 10. Halftime: GHS, 32-10. GHS record: 8-2.
GHS FRESHMAN BLUE 71, LEHMAN FRESHMAN A 14 –Samantha Folsom 2, Jacqui Spencer 8, Ella Vickers 5, Kristin Lott 16, Lauren Cavanaugh 8, Sheila Lee 7, Bailey Foster 7, Dylann Jones 18. Halftime: GHS 33-7. GHS record: 9-1.
GHS FRESHMAN WHITE 49, LEHMAN FRESHMAN B 8 — Kylie Neu 0, Avery Tisdell 0, Morgan Larson 22, Sydney Henderson 0, Abigail Rutledge 1, Aryana Hill 8, Talaya Roston 4, Emma Miller 0, Emyris Mims 17. Halftime: GHS, 19-0. GHS record: 2-3. Note: Names, scoring, statristics provided by Lady Eagle Basketball.
UPCOMING LADY EAGLES SCHEDULE
Jack Frost Tournament
At Eagle Gym
Thursday, Nov. 29 (Pool Play) — Austin Akins, noon; Killeen, 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30 (Pool Play) — San Antonio Incarnate Word, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 — Schedule depends on outcome of pool competition (See complete girls division schedule below).
Single Games
Tuesday, Dec. 4 — Bastrop (District 18-5A opener), 7 p.m. . Friday, Dec. 7 — Austin Westlake (ND), 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11 — at Elgin (18-5A), 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14 — Liberty Hill (ND), 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18 — Open date. Friday, Dec. 21 — Manor (18-5A), 5:30 p.m.
State Farm Classic
At Riverdale High School, Nashville, Tenn.
(Showcase Format)
Thursday, Dec. 27 — Dickson County, 6:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 28 — Bearden, 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 29 — Houston, 4:30 p.m.
40th ANNUAL JACK FROST TOURNAMENT
At Georgetown, Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 29-Dec. 1
GIRLS DIVISION
Pool Assignments
A — Georgetown, Killeen, Austin Akins, San Antonio Incarnate Word.
B — Corpus Christi Flour Bluff, Liberty Hill, The Colony, Houston St. Agnes.
C — Fort Worth Trimble Tech, Flower Mound Marcus, Hardin-Jefferson, Belton.
D — Argyle, Crowley, San Antonio Reagan, Saginaw Boswell.
Thursday’s Pool-Play Schedule
Eagle Gym 9 a.m. — Argyle vs. Crowley. 10:30 — Boswell vs. Reagan. Noon — Georgetown vs. Akins. 4:30 p.m. — Akins vs. Incarnate Word. 6 — Killeen vs. Georgetown.
GHS Auxiliary Gym
9 a.m. — Trimble Tech vs. Marcus. 10:30 — Belton vs. Hardin-Jefferson. Noon — Incarnate Word vs. Killeen. 6 p.m. — Flour Bluff vs. Liberty Hill. 7:30 — The Colony vs. St. Agnes.
Robertson Center (Southwestern University)
9 a.m. — St. Agnes vs. Liberty Hill. 10:30 — Flour Bluff vs. The Colony. 3 p.m. — Reagan vs. Argyle. 4:30 — Crowley vs. Boswell. 6 — Hardin-Jefferson vs. Trimble Tech. 7:30 — Marcus vs. Belton.
Friday’s Pool-Play Schedule
Eagle Gym
1:30 p.m. — Trimble Tech vs. Belton. 3 — Marcus vs. Hardin Jefferson, 7:30 — Georgetown vs. Incarnate Word.
GHS Auxiliary Gym
1:30 p.m. — Flour Bluff vs. St. Agnes. 3 — Crowley vs. Reagan. 4:30 — Argyle vs. Boswell.
Robertson Center (Southwestern University)
Noon — Akins vs, Killeen. 1:30 p.m. — Liberty Hill vs. The Colony.
Saturday’s Bracket Schedule
Friendship Games (Robertson Center)
11 a.m. — Pool C 4th place vs. Pool D 4th place. 2 p.m. — Pool A 4th place vs. Pool B 4th place.
Bronze Bracket
Semifinals: 8 a.m. — C3 vs. D3, Eagle Gym; A3 vs. B3, GHS Auxillary Gym. Finals: 5 p.m. — Semifinal winners, GHS Auxiliary Gym.
Silver Bracket
Semifinals: 9:30 a.m. — B2 vs. A2, Eagle Gym; C2 vs. D2, GHS Auxillary Gym. Finals: 3:30 p.m. — Semifinal winners, GHS Auxiliary Gym.
Gold Bracket
Semifinals: 12:30 p.m. — A1 vs. B1, Eagle Gym; C1 vs. D1, GHS Auxiliary Gym. Finals: 5 — Semifinal winners Eagle Gym.
TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF BASKETBALL COACHES
CLASS 5A TOP 25
- Fort Bend Hightower. 2. Mansfield Timberview. 3. Amarillo. 4. Manvel. 5. San Antonio Veterans Memorial. 6. Cedar Park. 7. Kerrville Tivy. 8. Birdville. 9. Midlothian. 10. Austin Crockett. 11, Lubbock Cooper. 12. Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial. 13. Frisco Lone Star. 14. Dallas South Oak Cliff. 15. Saginaw Boswell. 16. Corpus Christi Flour Bluff. 17. Mansfield Legacy. 18. Royse City. 19. Richmond Foster. 20. Waller. 21. College Station. 22. Crowley. 23. Pflugerville. 24. Cleburne. 25. Corpus Christi Tuloso-Midway.
TEXAS GIRLS COACHES ASSOCIATION
CLASS 5A TOP 20
(Released Monday, Nov. 26)
- Fort Bend Hightower. 2. Mansfield Timberview. 3. San Antonio Veterans Memorial. 4. Manvel. 5. Cedar Park. 6. Amarillo. 7. Kerrville Tivy. 8. Midlothian. 9. Royse City. 10. College Station. 11. Austin Crockett. 12. Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial. 13. Pflugerville. 14. Lubbock Cooper. 15. Saginaw Boswell. 16. Birdville. 17. GEORGETOWN. 18. Frisco Lone Star. 19. Mansfield Legacy. 20. Waller.