CASEY GEORG Special to the Press
BROWNWOOD — It was a busy Christmas break for the Thrall girls basketball team.
The Tigerettes spent three days competing in a strong TexasBank Holiday Classic tournament in Brownwood, where they posted a 2-2 record against good competition.
“The Brownwood tournament served its purpose,” said Thrall Coach Katina Walker.
“We were able to play against good teams and see how much we have grown and how consistent we have become.”
The Tigerettes opened the tournament Dec. 27 with a 50-47 win over the De Leon Bearcats (5-8). The Tigerettes outscored De Leon 32-18 in the paint and held a 10-0 scoring advantage from the free-throw line to get the win. Ashlyn Jarosek led all scorers with 19 points, while Briana Jarosek had eight points and led the team with 11 rebounds. In the victory over De Leon, Nevaeh Irvin and Kinley Hoffman added eight points apiece.
In their second game of the day, the Tigerettes fell 50-41 to the Bangs Lady Dragons (11-10).
Ashlyn Jarosek turned in her second 19-point effort in the loss, while Irvin dropped in 11 points.
On the second day of the tournament, the Tigerettes fell to the Coleman Lady Bluecats (7-8) 43-33. Thrall started strong, leading the Lady Bluecats 14-0 at the end of the first quarter, but in the second period, Coleman outscored the Tigerettes 22-2 and never trailed again. Once again, Ashlyn Jarosek led the Tigerettes, scoring 10 points. CeCe Walker crashed the boards for 10 rebounds to pace Thrall.
In their final game of the tournament, the Tigerettes took on the May Lady Tigers (8-2). May entered the game ranked No. 21 in the latest Class 1A rankings by the Texas Girls Coaches Association poll. The Tigerettes had one of their best shooting games of the season by hitting 41% from the field.
Ashlyn Jarosek turned in another solid performance with 17 points, while Hoffman and Irvin each scored 11.
“Ashlyn and Nevaeh had a good showing,” Coach Walker said.
“Ashlyn has developed her game, especially when her shot isn’t falling. She averaged 19 points for the tournament.”
Walker added that Irvin has improved her ability to attack the basket more consistently. “Her how, overall, is getting better, and it’s hard to stop her attack.”
Thrall resumed District 27-2A play Tuesday when they hosted the Bartlett Lassies and will travel Friday to take on the Holland Lady Hornets.
