CASEY GEORG Special to the Press
THRALL — Since mid-December, the Thrall Tigerettes have been finding success over their District 27-2A competition. That continued Tuesday night when they topped the Granger Lady Lions (7-21, 3-5), 60-34.
The win moves the Tigerettes’ season record to 16-12, and their district mark to 8-0.
Thrall’s Ashlyn Jarosek, who led all scorers with 24 points, scored eight in the second quarter for the Tigerettes, but Granger’s Montana Moore, who finished the night with 21 points, tallied nine for the Lady Lions and Thrall led 22-16 at the half.
Nevaeh Irvin got hot for the Tigerettes in the third quarter, scoring six of her 12 points in the period. Thrall’s defense finally began taking its toll, as well.
The Tigerettes forced 16 Granger turnovers in the third quarter, resulting in 14 of their 19 points in the period, and expanded the Tigerettes’ advantage to 41-26 entering the final quarter.
“The past two weeks, we have been working on moving the ball and getting open inside,” Thrall Head Coach Katina Walker said. “We did that last night. We were swinging the ball and getting it inside.”
Thrall’s defense continued to cause the Lady Lions problems.
Jarosek and Irvin were able to convert Granger turnovers into points, with Jarosek scoring eight points in the final period.
Thrall’s defense led to 33 of the Tigerettes’ points, forcing 40 Granger turnovers in the game. Thrall also had trouble handling the ball, however, committing 20 turnovers on the night. However, the Tigerettes countered their miscues by hitting 42 percent from the field.
“Twenty turnovers is a high number compared to the last few games we played,” Walker said.
In addition to Jarosek’s efforts, Irvin finished the game with 12 points and led the Tigerettes with 10 rebounds. Moore pulled down seven rebounds to go with her 21-point effort, while Marissa Hall and Ashley Lopez added six boards each.
Thrall was also helped inside by Bri Jarosek and the return of Brynn Leschber and Riley Luton. “All three of our bigs brought some much-needed rebounding and protection in the paint,” Walker said.
“They bring something different to the game.”
The Tigerettes will try to remain atop the district standings when they travel Jan. 26 to Bartlett, while the Lady Lions look to keep their playoff hopes alive when they host Thorndale.
