The new girls’ basketball season countdown in Texas has officially reached zero despite football being played but the action on the hardwood does not stop for anyone.
HEADLINE GAMES TO WATCH
Aledo at Glen Rose: Both teams hold possess all-state talent respectively in Riley Sale of the Lady Cats and Hailey Ibarra for the Lady Tigers. Both can shoot and have a pure-scoring ability and can hurt opposition off the dribble. Aledo graduated a solid post player in Elizabeth Allanach but return in 6-1 junior Audrey Pearce. The primary key for Glen Rose will be containing Sale and possessing a solid interior defense. Not all hope will be lost if Glen Rose fall, but would but an early stamp if they can pick up a win.
Cy Creek at Cy Springs: There is plenty to be excited for as Cy Springs entertains a Region III power in Cy Creek, who hold arguably one of the top backcourt duos of Rori Harmon and Kyndall Hunter, who combined an average of 40 points per game last year. The Lady Cougars hold state tourney experience when Harmon and Hunter were freshmen but will be hungry to return to San Antonio in a gauntlet of a region. Cy Springs return most of their roster from last season that includes 6-1 senior Zaria Johnson. The Lady Panthers saw a short-lived playoff run as they bowed out of the bi-district round to Cedar Park Vista Ridge and picking up an season-opening win against an highly-touted Cy Creek squad will be adding an early feather in the cap win.
Abilene Wylie at Abilene: A season-opening cross-town showdown has intrigue statewide with the fact that Abilene returns all five starters and eight lettermen that missed the playoffs but expectations are high for Terri Aston’s team. The opposite can be said for Wylie but return senior Bailey Roberts, who landed on the second team all-district list last season. If Wylie can keep it close, 4-5A might could be a tight race between Aledo and the Lady Bulldogs and can put their name on the front foot early in the region. Abilene possesses an underrated duo in the Big Country in TraKenya Roberson, who averaged 18 points per game, and Alyssa Washington, a key plus-one piece.
Silsbee at Port Neches-Groves: The cast of Maylin Stampley and Mollee Priddy returning for their senior season as PNG will have high expectations in the district to compete for a district title. Silsbee lose four seniors that played key roles and will be young to start the season. Despite facing against an inexperienced side, the defense will be a main key for PNG as Barber’s Hill lurks in the district along with Port Arthur Memorial, who are no-easy out.
Beaumont United at Langham Creek: The SheWolves turned heads last season, finishing the regular season undefeated in their first year in UIL play, and riding an area round appearance. The Lady Lobos graduated Dyani Robinson and Briley Perkins but return Atlantis White and 6-1 junior Kaley Perkins. The Timberwolves return a host of talent that includes sophomore Princess Anderson. Size will be a key for Langham Creek and the defense will be tested for LC with having to deal with United’s athleticism and talented guard play.
Jersey Village at Cy Ranch: A star-stunned lineup for Jersey Village that included the Truong sisters now shrinks as three returnees that include junior duo Gia Adams and Briana Peguero will now lead a team that will look to rebuild as the Mustangs return Shadiya Thomas and Riane Burton, both of the top talents in the Houston area. The Lady Falcons will be under-sized on paper and as most know, in the game of basketball and other sports, you cannot coach size. If you did not know about the duo of Thomas and Burton, it would be worth mentioning that Cy Ranch advanced to the regional quarterfinals, falling to Pflugerville Hendrickson, and are the early front-runner in 14-6A. Shira Patton will also play an active role and could be one of the more important plus-one contributors in the state. If all three are on their game, Cy Ranch will be a dangerous team in Region II.
The defensive side of Jersey Village will be held at a high standard this season as they are in a district with Cy Creek and Cy-Fair. Despite being undersized, athleticism and speed will be an advantage. If Jersey Village can have possessions with quick baskets with press breaks and solid ball movement, the Falcons can easily pick up a win.
Lewisville Hebron at Garland Sachse: What a turnaround Hebron has seen withing a season from four wins in 2017-18 to a playoff team at a 29-6 mark last season. Sachse experienced the state tournament in 2018 and will be gunning to return to the Alamo City as Avery Crouse graduated and went on to go to UTEP. Adhel Tac and Tia Harvey return for the Lady Mustangs as Sachse will be one of the teams to watch in Region II and in the statewide conversation. The Lady Hawks bring back the duo of Sierra Dickson and Daxia Melton as all five starters return. The future looks bright for Hebron with promising talent in Cammie McKinney.
Mansfield Timberview at Frisco Liberty: In one of the best games in the Metroplex in terms of name, it will be a matchup of both teams that will be rebuilding and getting their squads built up. No starters return for Timberview but coach Kit Martin knows how to build successful teams while the Redhawks will also be looking for the main face of the teams as sophomore Jazzy Owens-Barrett, who was listed in the all-district team in the second team, and junior Maya Jain, who will be playing a more active role this season.
Allen at De Soto: It is rare to see an opening night game that is a big showdown between ranked teams but on Friday, we will see one with Allen, who lose Nyah Green as she graduated and departed to Louisville, and DeSoto, who return plenty of young and key pieces from a state runner-up year. Senior Tionna “Tree” Perkins took part in the Team USA national team trial and boosted her recruiting profile during the summer. The sophomore duo of Sa’Myah Smith and Amina Muhammad return along with junior Kendall Brown with all eyes will be on De Soto this season. If Allen can hold their own, life after Green should be just fine.
Dallas Skyline at Dallas Lincoln: Skyline has been branded as the team that produces top athletes in the Metroplex, some underrated, and competing for a district title year in and out. Two starters return for Melonie Hopson’s team in junior Zyniah Thomas and senior Takaylan Busby, as both averaged a combined 11.2 rebounds per game. The Lady Raiders open with a team that also crashes the boards well in Dallas Lincoln. The Lady Tigers are under new leadership in Darrin Samuels and return three starters from a state semifinalist team which include Alexis Brown will buoy the offense, as she averaged 13.1 points per game. Lincoln recorded a total of 40 rebounds in their state semifinal game against Argyle. 20, of which, were offensive boards. Lincoln will be aiming to crash the offensive boards and pick up second-chance points.
Cy-Fair at Humble Summer Creek: On paper, Cy-Fair might not be impressive in recent memory with sub-.500 finishes. But most of the losses come against tough opposition in non-district play. Summer Creek return a solid amount that could see them return to the Alamo City and potentially redeem themselves with 6-3 senior forward Maliyah Johnson returning. The guard play for Summer Creek will be solid and expect thee Bulldogs to establish an in-out game to establish themselves early. Cy-Fair may not have the size to defend Johnson but running the court will be key for them to stay in the game. Depth will be a plus in the guard positions for the Ladycats.
North Shore at Fort Bend Hightower: North Shore open up an early tough stretch that includes No.2 Hightower, No. 17 Westside, No. 5 Summer Creek, a loaded field in the Texas Invitational and No. 25 Clear Springs in the month of November alone. Now, North Shore does return all but two players from last year’s team and will have high expectations. Hightower graduate size but return athleticism and solid guard play with Taelor Purvis and Destini Lombard return out of nine total returnees that possess state tournament experience in hopes of returning to San Antonio this season.
OTHER GAMES TO WATCH
Ponder at Brock
Seminole at Lubbock Monterey
Bullard at Nacogdoches
Woden at Huntington
Cedar Hill at Arlington Bowie
Frisco Lone Star at Garland Rowlett
Lake Travis at Austin Vandegrift
South Grand Prairie at Dallas Bishop Lynch
Hardin-Jefferson at Barbers Hill
