BY CASEY GEORG Special to the Press
SMITHVILLE — Ashlyn Jarosek scored a team-high 14 points, and the Thrall Tigerettes (1-1) held off a late Smithville Lady Tiger (1-2) rally for a 50-45 win Tuesday night.
“It was good to see us do things we have been working on the last week,” said Thrall Coach Katina Walker. “We blocked out, ran in transition, were ready to shoot and attacked the basket. We were able to run the court and cause turnovers.”
The teams matched each other point for point in the opening moments of the first quarter, and the score stood at seven apiece with 4:19 to play in the period. But, the Tigerettes outscored Smithville 10-2 down the stretch to take the lead for good. Avery Ochoa had four points in the quarter, while Kinley Hoffman and Jarosek each hit a shot from behind the arch to a 17-9 advantage.
“Avery stepped it up with her ball control, as well as causing havoc defensively,” Coach Walker said.
It was more of the same in the second period. Smithville kept it close, but timely shots by CeCe Walker and Jarosek pushed the Tigerettes’ lead to 29-18 at the half. Jarosek tallied five in the second quarter, including her second three-pointer of the night and Walker’s trey gave the Tigerettes their first double-digit lead of the game at 27-17 with just under a minute to play in the half.
Thrall continued to keep on the pressure as the second half got underway. Jarosek hit for six more points in the third quarter and Sarah Laurence added four as the Tigerettes upped their lead to 43-28 going into the final period.
“Sarah was good at attacking and engaging in order to open up the outside,” Coach Walker said. “She also contributed in scoring inside.”
Smithville took advantage of the free-throw line in the fourth quarter to pull the game close. The Lady Tigers hit 10 of 13 shots from the charity stripe over the final eight minutes and cut the lead to 48-45 with 1:27 to play. But, that would be as close as they would get. CeCe Walker’s running jumper with 1:12 on the clock provided the final margin for the Tigerettes.
Thrall was scheduled to play their home opener on Friday when they host the Reisel Lady Indians. They will also play host to Bosqueville on Monday and travel to Taylor on Tuesday before breaking for Thanksgiving.
Jarosek led the Tigerettes with 14 points, while CeCe Walker added 10. Nevaeh Irvin led the Tigerettes with seven rebounds.
Thrall High School girls varsity basketball’s Kinley Hoffman makes a pass across the court as a freshman during the Tigerettes’ 2022-23 season.
Photo by Larry Pelchat
