CASEY GEORG Special to the Press
LIPAN — The Thrall Tigerettes entered the Lipan tournament on Thursday with a 4-2 record, but after an opening-round win over Hico, the Tigerettes (5-5) dropped three straight to Martins Mill, Hamilton and Paradise.
On Thursday, the Tigerettes opened the tournament with a 43-16 route of Hico.
Kinley Hoffman led the Tigerettes with 10 points, followed by CeCe Walker’s nine. Nevaeh Irvin grabbed seven rebounds to lead Thrall in that category. Thrall’s swarming defense held Hico to just three field goals, and 12% shooting.
In their second game, the Tigerettes took on the top-ranked Martins Mill Lady Mustangs (101). The Lady Mustangs outscored the Tigerettes 21-5 in the opening period, and never looked back, as they rolled to a 50-23 win.
Turnovers proved costly in the loss. Thrall committed 28 turnovers against the speedy Lady Mustangs, and Martins Mill converted those into 27 points.
Irvin led the Tigerettes with nine points, while Walker pulled down five boards.
The 1-1 record was enough to earn the Tigerettes a spot in the silver bracket on Saturday, where they faced the Hamilton Lady Bulldogs (7-4). The game was close through the first three quarters, with the Lady Bulldogs holding a 37-30 advantage heading into the fourth quarter. But, in the final period, the Tigerettes went cold from the field and were held to no points in the quarter, while Hamilton posted 12 and pulled away for the 49-30 win.
In their final game, Paradise raced out to a 31-11 halftime lead and cruised to a 55-28 win.
The Lady Panthers held Thrall to just 22% from the field. Ashlyn Jarosek led the Tigerettes with seven points, while Irvin chipped in six and led the team in rebounding with seven.
The Tigerettes will play in the Jarrell tournament facing Bosqueville and Sanger on Thursday to start the three-day, roundrobin event. Thrall will also face Jarrell, Austin Savio and Gatesville.
