Monday, February 24
The Colony (21-11) vs. Mansfield Timberview (28-8); 6:30 p.m., Colleyville Heritage HS
It is odd to see The Colony as a three seed but also is one of the most dangerous three seed teams remaining in the post season.
The Lady Cougars are led by Wake Forest signee Jewel Spear, who is one of the more pure scorers in the Metroplex this year.
Timberview are young this year but are well-coached and are discipline on the defensive end of the basketball.
It will be key for Timberview to set the tempo early at their pace and force The Colony to play out of their comfort zone and to contain Spear in scoring. The Colony will be seeking to have momentum go in their favor early and add the supporting cast behind Spear in the scoresheet.
Argyle (29-6) vs. Glen Rose (30-6); 7 p.m., Azle HS
As mentioned in our upset picks, Glen Rose has earmarked that game specifically on what went well, the defense, and the things that needed to be worked in after the meeting. The defense will be a key for the Lady Tigers.
For Argyle, SMU signee Rhyle McKinney has played very well in the recent games in the past two weeks but the supporting cast of Kiley Lavelle, Brooklyn Carl and Bailey Timmons to name a few.
The Lady Eagles do have lots of moving pieces and weapons offensively and defensively but the focus will be on the Lady Tiger defense and how they matchup against a swift Argyle attack.
Wellington (30-5) vs. Gruver (33-2); 6:30 p.m., Caprock HS, Amarillo
If you feel that you need a redemption of Panhandle/Vega in the area round this past weekend, here is another redeemed opportunity for you as another Panhandle clash between 2A Region I heavyweights.Â
Wellington possesses a pair of signature wins against Panhandle in district and have had a tough schedule once again this year. Gruver has the athleticism and of course, a highly touted recruit in Bailey Maupin, who can shoot from anywhere around the court.Â
The Lady Rocket defense has been one of the more impressive sides of Wellington this season and the full court pressure is a defensive set that should be watched and the most watched part of the game will be how Gruver execute offensively with a tough defensive side.
Guthrie (23-7) vs. Hermleigh (23-7); 7 p.m., Lubbock Roosevelt HS
Guthrie is making their first regional quarterfinal appearance since 2013 while Hermleigh are looking to return to state for the third straight time. The Lady Jags will have an experienced line-up with 5-11 junior Abby Jones leading the way as Hermleigh brings in the pedigree behind standout Makia Gonzales.
Tuesday, February 25
Duncanville (35-3) vs. De Soto (32-2); 7 p.m., Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center, Fort Worth
Two of the more successful program will look to punch a ticket to the regional tournament, that will be played in the same venue as their current meeting.
Duncanville have already won their first meeting in the Sandra Meadows Invitational Championship game.
For recruiting nerds, this game is for you. Duncanville has a McDonald’s All-American and North Carolina signee Deja Kelly. De Soto have a standout on the injury list with Sa’Myah Smith sidelined with an ACL injury but have a host of athletes that include Kendall Brown, Kayla Glover and Amina Muhammad.
Looking at regional quarterfinal games, I don’t need to tell you about the magnitude of Duncanville/De Soto. Expect it to grab national attention from all the national outlets.#txhshoops #txhsgbb
— Nick Alvarado (blue checkmark) (@Nick_RoyReport) February 23, 2020
As mentioned on social media, this game is expected to get national attention as the two teams were inside the MaxPreps top 25 and in the USA Today national top 25 poll.
The main focus will be the depth of Duncanville. We do know what De Soto have and their ceiling. For Duncanville, the press has focused on Kelly and not much attention has shifted in the supporting casts for the Pantherettes. It will be a key game for both teams but more importantly, we will get a good data point on the winner.
Austin Westlake (30-6) vs. San Antonio Reagan (29-7); 6 p.m., New Braunfels HS
If anyone had a more impressive win in the Alamo City, it would have belonged to San Antonio Reagan. The Lady Rattlers do have a standout freshman in Samantha Wagner, but 6-4 sophomore Christeeen Iwuala stepped up in a big way and now, Reagan are showing themselves as a team that is improving every game.
Austin Westlake will feature a more tougher task with a well-coached squad being led by Texas signee Shay Holle and tradition-rich program that is seeking their first regional tournament appearance since 2003. A player that has stepped up in a big way for the Lady Chaps is Bailee Chynoweth and add on to the offensive scoring threat that also includes Texas State signee Presley Bennett.
Turnovers were a key thing that Reagan committed in their area round game against Cibolo Steele and facing a more tougher opponent, turnovers can dig yourself a deep hole. It will be imperative for the Lady Rattlers to execute offensively and playing a smart brand of basketball that keeps key players out of foul trouble.
Magnolia West (30-8) vs. Cedar Park (31-3); 7:30 p.m., Hearne
Cedar Park have cruised through their opening two opponents as the defense was the key in their respective victories. A tougher opponent comes in as Magnolia West, who are one of the more high scoring offenses in the region.
Lady Mustang standout Kamryn Jones currently leads the team in scoring and averaging a double-double with 19.5 points per game and 11.7 boards per game. The guard play has also been solid for Magnolia West, with the duo of Kamari Portalis and Megan Donnelly being the spark offensively.
For the Lady Timberwolves, all eyes will be on the Texas State signee Nicole Leff in the post. Senior guard Hannah Wheeler has been playing well in the recent games.
Fredericksburg (30-8) vs. Liberty Hill (23-14); 7 p.m., Marble Falls
Region IV has been headlined by Liberty Hill and their traditional success they see in the postseason. The Lady Panthers hold the advantage head-to-head this season in a tight 50-44 victory.
The defense for the Lady Billies was solid, recording 16 steals and 5-3 sophomore Anabel Araiza was one of the top players defensively.
The Liberty Hill offense has improved since that meeting and spacing could be a key for the Lady Panthers in order to execute and not allow passes to be read easily.
The post matchup will be interesting to watch as 6-1 junior Aubrey Spurgin will be the key.
Brownfield (29-5) vs. Idalou (30-7); 6 p.m., Littlefield
With a big win over the state tournament representative from Region I in Wall, now the Lady Cubs face their next tough task in district rival, Idalou, who they split with in 2-3A play.
The Lady Cubs have shown that despite having eight players on the varsity roster, the confidence that Brownfield is currently playing with, the athleticism and shooting range they also showcase in their recent games, the Lady Cubs are one of the more dangerous three-seed teams remaining in the playoffs.
The Lady Cats have hang their hat on the defensive end and with the hi-low action that starts with LCU signee Shaylee Stovall and the interior posts in 5-10 senior Madelyn Merrell and 5-11 sophomore Taylor Houston.
The shooting from 5-5 sophomore Gabby Fields has also been one of the main keys offensively for the Lady Cubs but the interior defense will remain to be an aspect of the game that will be the big key in order for Brownfield to prolong their season.
Malakoff (30-5) vs. Academy; 8 p.m., Centerville HS
Any team coached by Brian Pursche will have a shot and Academy are in familiar territory in the second week of the playoffs. The Lady Bees will have their hands full in the interior, facing a Malakoff team that have 6-1 senior Sha’Kera Thompson and 6-0 senior Alliyah Coleman in what fans may known as the “twin towers” offensive set. The Lady Tigers are athletic and can shoot the ball well behind the arc.
The Lady Bees have size of their own in 6-0 senior Alex Fastzkie and 5-10 senior Aubrey Fossett that will look to match-up with the Lady Tiger posts.
The match-up as a whole is interesting on paper with both teams facing similar strengths in their posts and guard play. The rebounding and defensive sides of the ball will be key in order for any team to pick up the victory.
Collinsville vs. Muenster, 6:30 p.m, Gainesville HS
The Lady Pirates were eliminated in the same round last year, but to Era. This year, they face Muenster, a team that has one of the more hidden gems in terms of talent in sophomore Martie McCoy. McCoy presents a high basketball IQ on the court and can find an open spot in the interior well.Â
Collinsville have the scoring phenom in Carrie Johnson but also have size in 6-2 senior Brittany Fields, who usually is overshadowed behind Johnson.
Collinsville may not have played their best brand of basketball this year but a win here could really emphasize that point and could put Region II on notice going into the regional tournament.
Sands (31-3) vs. New Home (28-4); 7:30 p.m., Denver City
If you are a fan of offensive-minded basketball, then this game is for you. Sands can shoot the ball from anywhere from the floor along with bringing a defense that can force you to play out of your comfort zone and can get points when in a pinch.Â
For New Home, the interior offense production will be behind Kyley Gill. The guard play for the Lady Leopards will also be key in attempting to punch their ticket to the regional tournament.
