As 190 Texas high school girls’ basketball games tip off this week, we look at five games to wet your whistle as the playoffs kick back up tonight.
Beaumont United vs. Clear Falls
7:30 p.m., Friday, Delmar Fieldhouse
RRM Favorite: Beaumont United
Riding a 17-game winning streak, Beaumont United have played solid basketball at this point of the season. Their next test? A tough Clear Falls team that look to continue their season as they hold wins against Barber’s Hill and George Ranch.
The scoring trio of Alexis Clayborne, Niah Richard, and Josephine Adegbite are hard to stop once they find their rhythm in their gameplay. The United defense will have it’s work cut out in guarding Clayborne and Richard.
Liberty Hill vs. La Grange
7 p.m., Friday, Taylor High School
RRM Favorite: Liberty Hill
If anyone in Region IV that has pedigree and tradition, it’s Liberty Hill. However, looking at this game on paper, La Grange is the favorite heading into this area round clash. But in respect to the success that the Lady Panthers have seen, La Grange is facing a tall task on Friday.
Liberty Hill have played the tougher schedule in hitting up in their weight class ad they hold wins over Fredericksburg and Fort Worth Wyatt.
La Grange have been tough to get a read on this year with a balanced scoring attack and make scouting reported hard.
It takes a bit of luck to get victories over a perennial power but if the Lady Leopard defense can stand tall and if Aaliyah Hunt can get an early scoring start offensively, La Grange will be tough to stop.
Malakoff vs. Lexington
RRM Favorite: Malakoff
6 p.m., Friday, University HS, Waco
Malakoff’s success have come in the interior with their dual threat in 6-0 senior power forward Alliyah Colemand and 6-1 senior center Sha’Kera Thompson.
The Lady Eagles have their scoring threat in Ashunti Cooper, who is an under-the-radar talent in the Cen-Tex region.
Size may not be something that Lexington have but the speed is also a threat that could be utilized and aggression to get to the basket.
If both interior posts get in foul trouble, the door is open for Lexington to get an opportunity to establish the offense inside. Keep an eye on junior Shelby Ray and her play in this game to add to Cooper’s contribution.
Vega vs. Panhandle
6:30 p.m., Thursday, Randall High School
RRM Favorite: Panhandle
Looking at the pedigree, Panhandle hold the edge over a Vega team that has shown how well they shoot the long-range shots.
But also, Vega head coach Randy Henderson knows how to find ways to win.
For the Ettes, they have made two out of the last three trips to state and essentially, the “young,” players grow up quicker with more reps in long playoff runs.
The four-around-one motion offense is hard to stop with fast and quick athletes on the floor.
Sharpshooter Anita Knoll has been a key player in terms of shooting and will be one to watch for recruiters along with Lara Mason in the interior.
Lipan vs. Brookesmith
6 p.m., Thursday, Stephenville
RRM Favorite: Lipan
Brookesmith have seen ranking time for most of the season, according to the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches but one team inside the top 25 will be having their season cut short after Friday.
Senior Laramie Nelson can score for the Lady Mustangs and is hard to guard with her pace.
Lipan have returned to the status that we are used to seeing from every Lady Indian squad as a state tournament contender.
This is a young Lipan squad that is junior and freshman laden and we might see a break through in this team with only two seniors.
The match-up to watch will be in the interior in attempt for Brookesmith to try and limit the production of Maggie Peacock.
