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12-5A GIRLS TOURNAMENT ROUNDUP: Skeeters, Jags, Stallions have an up-and-down run through tournament play
By DEVIN HASSON, dhasson@starlocalnews.com
Mesquite had a chance to measure itself against some teams from outside of the area this past week at the Sandra Meadows Classic in Duncanville.
The Skeeters (13-10) got off to a good start, but were unable to maintain it as they posted a 1-2 record on Thursday and Friday.
Mesquite used a huge second half to pull away from Houston Westbury Christian in the tournament opener on Thursday in a 69-30 victory.
The Skeeters led 30-19 at halftime, but then outscored Westbury 39-11 during the third and fourth quarters to blow the game open.
Briana Caro led a trio of players in double figures with 16 points. Brianna Williams scored 15 pointsm, while Viershanie Latham added 14.
Mesquite got 15 points from Williams and 11 from Latham later on Thursday but it was not enough in a 56-54 loss to Cedar Park Vista Ridge.
The Skeeters led by six at halftime but were done in by a 20-9 run in the third quarter. They chipped away in the fourth, but could not climb all the way back.
In the tournament finale, Mesquite had a sluggish second half in a 62-37 loss to Houston Bellaire. The Skeeters managed only 11 points during the final two periods, as Bellaire cruised. Brittany Pearson had 11 points in the losing effort.
Mesquite will hit the road on Wednesday to face Tyler Lee before playing at home against North Mesquite on Saturday and at Rockwall on Tuesday.
HORN
After a promising start to the tournament, Horn was unable to get its offense going as it dropped its final two games at the Sandra Meadows Classic in Duncanville.
The Jaguars (14-6) took care of Australia in the opener, getting 14 points from Kristina Smith and 11 from Jada Underwood in a 50-24 victory.
Horn was stout on defense, allowing eight points or less in every quarter.
It was that kind of defensive effort, though, that the Jaguars saw from their opponents in the next two games.
Horn scored only five points in the first half, leading to a 30-point deficit at the break, in a 61-35 loss to League City Clear Springs on Friday.
The Jaguars were much closer in the second outing that day, but still could not do enough in a 36-32 loss to The Woodlands.
Lauren Bradshaw had 10 points to lead Horn against League City, while Smith was the lone player in double figures against The Woodlands with 11.
The Jaguars will have a bye when the 12-5A slate resumes on Wednesday and will return to action on Saturday with a home game against Rockwall-Heath before traveling to face Tyler Lee on Tuesday.
NORTH MESQUITE
North Mesquite sandwiched a pair of victories around two ugly losses last week at the Kaufman Holiday Tournament.
The Stallions (6-13) finished on a high note with a 52-44 win over Athens on Saturday.
North Mesquite opened a 16-11 lead after one quarter and while they never ran away with the game, they were able to keep Athens at arm's length.
Taylor Carraway had 23 points to lead the Stallions, while Makqhuisha Carruth was also in double figures with 12.
North Mesquite was able to start the tournament in similar fashion with a 71-38 win over Terrell. The Stallions outscored the Tigers 40-13 during the second and third quarters and that was the difference.
Racheal Malone had 21 points to lead a quartet of players in double figures, with Carraway, Carruth and Ashley Rivera each adding 11.
It was the middle two games that North Mesquite would rather forget about.
In its first game on Friday, Emily Malone scored 13 points but the Stallions were unable to keep up with Jacksonville in a 52-28 loss.
It was the same story later in the afternoon, as North Mesquite fell behind 45-26 at halftime and then managed only 15 points in the second half in a 79-41 loss to Frisco Centennial.
The Stallions will return to district play on Wednesday at home against Rockwall and play at Mesquite on Saturday and at home against Longview on Tuesday.
The Skeeters (13-10) got off to a good start, but were unable to maintain it as they posted a 1-2 record on Thursday and Friday.
Mesquite used a huge second half to pull away from Houston Westbury Christian in the tournament opener on Thursday in a 69-30 victory.
The Skeeters led 30-19 at halftime, but then outscored Westbury 39-11 during the third and fourth quarters to blow the game open.
Briana Caro led a trio of players in double figures with 16 points. Brianna Williams scored 15 pointsm, while Viershanie Latham added 14.
Mesquite got 15 points from Williams and 11 from Latham later on Thursday but it was not enough in a 56-54 loss to Cedar Park Vista Ridge.
The Skeeters led by six at halftime but were done in by a 20-9 run in the third quarter. They chipped away in the fourth, but could not climb all the way back.
In the tournament finale, Mesquite had a sluggish second half in a 62-37 loss to Houston Bellaire. The Skeeters managed only 11 points during the final two periods, as Bellaire cruised. Brittany Pearson had 11 points in the losing effort.
Mesquite will hit the road on Wednesday to face Tyler Lee before playing at home against North Mesquite on Saturday and at Rockwall on Tuesday.
HORN
After a promising start to the tournament, Horn was unable to get its offense going as it dropped its final two games at the Sandra Meadows Classic in Duncanville.
The Jaguars (14-6) took care of Australia in the opener, getting 14 points from Kristina Smith and 11 from Jada Underwood in a 50-24 victory.
Horn was stout on defense, allowing eight points or less in every quarter.
It was that kind of defensive effort, though, that the Jaguars saw from their opponents in the next two games.
Horn scored only five points in the first half, leading to a 30-point deficit at the break, in a 61-35 loss to League City Clear Springs on Friday.
The Jaguars were much closer in the second outing that day, but still could not do enough in a 36-32 loss to The Woodlands.
Lauren Bradshaw had 10 points to lead Horn against League City, while Smith was the lone player in double figures against The Woodlands with 11.
The Jaguars will have a bye when the 12-5A slate resumes on Wednesday and will return to action on Saturday with a home game against Rockwall-Heath before traveling to face Tyler Lee on Tuesday.
NORTH MESQUITE
North Mesquite sandwiched a pair of victories around two ugly losses last week at the Kaufman Holiday Tournament.
The Stallions (6-13) finished on a high note with a 52-44 win over Athens on Saturday.
North Mesquite opened a 16-11 lead after one quarter and while they never ran away with the game, they were able to keep Athens at arm's length.
Taylor Carraway had 23 points to lead the Stallions, while Makqhuisha Carruth was also in double figures with 12.
North Mesquite was able to start the tournament in similar fashion with a 71-38 win over Terrell. The Stallions outscored the Tigers 40-13 during the second and third quarters and that was the difference.
Racheal Malone had 21 points to lead a quartet of players in double figures, with Carraway, Carruth and Ashley Rivera each adding 11.
It was the middle two games that North Mesquite would rather forget about.
In its first game on Friday, Emily Malone scored 13 points but the Stallions were unable to keep up with Jacksonville in a 52-28 loss.
It was the same story later in the afternoon, as North Mesquite fell behind 45-26 at halftime and then managed only 15 points in the second half in a 79-41 loss to Frisco Centennial.
The Stallions will return to district play on Wednesday at home against Rockwall and play at Mesquite on Saturday and at home against Longview on Tuesday.
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