HEARNE – Tuesday night the Thrall Tigerettes (18-10 overall, 3-2 District 27-2A) traveled to Hearne to take on the defending district champion Lady Eagles.
Despite a solid effort from the Tigerettes, Hearne picked up a 44-32 win to remain in a tie for first place in district.
Hearne got off to a quick start, leading 9-3 on the shooting of Ciarrah Golden. Golden hit for five of her 12 points in the opening minutes of the game to stake the Lady Eagles to a lead. But, Thrall was able to rally thanks to a solid defensive effort. Steals by Kassi Jackson and Neveah Irvin led to quick baskets by the Tigerettes and, a second-chance jumper from CeCe Walker knotted the game at nine with just under a minute to play in the opening period.
The Lady Eagles finished out the period scoring eight points over the final 48 seconds of the quarter to take a 17-9 lead into the second period.
Thrall went cold from the field in the second quarter, hitting just one of 17 shots from the field. Hearne did not fair much better, but Golden added another five points as the Lady Eagles extended their lead to 25-12 at the half.
The Tigerettes attempted to rally in the third period. Irvin scored six of her team-high 12 points in the quarter and Thrall pulled within 11 at 33-22 entering the final period. Hearne was able to hit five of six shots from the free-throw line in the final quarter, four coming from Antinajah Jackson, and the Lady Eagles outscored Thrall 11-9 in the fourth to clinch the win.
Jackson led the Lady Eagles with 16 points, while Golden scored 12. Irvin led Thrall with a dozen, and Jackson and Walker each contributed five points. Irvin also pulled down 15 rebounds for the Tigerettes, while Brynn Leschber and Miranda Richter each hauled in nine boards.
Thrall was back on the floor Friday night traveling to Milano (10-13, 3-2) in a critical game for both teams in terms of playoff seedings. The two teams are currently tied for third in the district standings.
