1A #1 Nazareth at 5A #1 Amarillo: A battle of state champions in the Panhandle highlights the early week action as both teams open up their season. All eyes will be on the highly touted recruit in the Panhandle in Zayla Tinner, the 5-11 senior forward who showcases her athleticism ability on the floor. The 23-time state titleholders in Nazareth bring in Cambrie Heiman, the two-time state championship game MVP. Amarillo has won this meeting in the last three years.
Duncanville at Allen: Duncanville open up their season against an Allen team that almost topped DeSoto in their season opener and showed that life after Nyah Green is fine. Duncanville welcome in LaJeanna Howard, a Duncanville alum. The main playmaker to watch will be Deja Kelly but the additional cast will be another aspect to watch for the Pantherettes. Allen kept it competitive against DeSoto and the main keys were the Jackson duo, with Tyler leading the team in scoring with 20 and Zoe, who tallied 15. The Eagle defense will be a main key for the Eagles along with the play of Zoe McCrary, who adds size to the paint.
Houston the Village at San Antonio Veteran’s Memorial: For those that do not know about the Village, you should. One of the top recruits in the state is at the Village with Jada Malone being the main playmaker on the offense. However, it’s other contributors that put the Lady Vikings in a shortlist of one of the best TAPPS teams from 6A down to 1A. Junior Tymberlin Criswell and Aiken Semones will be key pieces for additional offensive production behind Malone.
For Veteran’s Memorial, Sahara Jones will be a key playmaker for the Patriots and will be a key matchup for the defense, guarding Malone. One aspect that could be the difference-maker will be the experience for the Patriots, with Brenna Perez and Vivian Castro adding leadership to the floor.
Houston Heights at 6A #2 Summer Creek: Summer Creek picked up an eye-opening victory in their opener against Cy-Fair, using their defense and size to pave the way. Now, a tougher test in Houston Heights, who are playing a sleeper role in Region III, comes next. The key players for Heights are juniors and sophomores, which will be a threat for the next two seasons. The opponents of Summer Creek will have to answer to the size of 6-3 senior Maliyah Johnson. The Bulldogs of Heights will have their answer in 6-0 Tierra Simon but guard play will be the key in order to pick up an upset victory.
Cisco at Tuscola Jim Ned: Both teams come in this matchup, after losing their respective key offensive pieces. The Lady Loboes return the majority of their roster from last year but lost Leigh Anne Montell to graduation. The senior leadership for Cisco may be the key to picking up a victory. The defense has been a trait for Hunter Cooley’s teams and this year is no different. Senior Brooke Galvin will be the key leader for the defense along with junior Alexis Espinosa, who will play a bigger role on the floor this year.
3A #3 Edgewood at 4A #17 Brownsboro: Brownsboro will be looking for some momentum to kick start their season after falling to 2A #2 Grapeland but will have their hands full once again as they face another top-five opponent in Edgewood, who was the only team outside of the state tournament to challenge Mount Pleasant Chapel Hill. Tabby Parker returns for Edgewood and will be the key to the offensive success this season.
Gatesville at Liberty Hill: Gatesville picked up an “upset” victory over Burnet but the reason why you should not be surprised is that Gatesville has won now the last seven meetings against the Lady Bulldogs. Now, they travel to Liberty Hill to face a tough Lady Panther team who won their opener against Leander Glenn. The key will be in the paint as Liberty Hill will have a pair of 5-11 posts in Emma Hubbard and Ashton Jordan when the Lady Panthers elect to go with a tall lineup. If Gatesville can keep a competitive game against the pedigree program, then Gatesville will add the depth to an already tough 18-4A.
OTHER GAMES TO WATCH
5A #1 Fort Bend Hightower at Jersey Village; 7 p.m.
6A #17 Houston Westside at Galena Park North Shore; 7 p.m.
Angleton at Waller; 7 p.m.
Garland Sachse at Mansfield Timberview; 7:30 p.m.
Plano at Lewisville Hebron; 7:30 p.m.
4A #7 Jasper at Port Neches-Groves; 6 p.m.
Salado at Lorena; 6:15 p.m.
6A #5 Austin Westlake at Round Rock Cedar Ridge; 7 p.m.
Garland Lakeview Centennial at 5A #4 Lewisville the Colony; 6:30 p.m.
3A #4 Poth at TAPPS 5A #3 San Antonio Christian; 6 p.m.
5A #22 Dripping Spring at 6A # Lake Travis; 7 p.m.
