Sports > Schools
Girls basketball: Time off benefits Lady Dragons
By Justin Thomas, jthomas@starlocalnews.com
Having already filled its allotment of pre-district tournaments, including a trip to Hawaii in mid-December, Southlake Carroll's girls basketball team used the holiday break as an opportunity to improve through practice, playing just one game (a 60-26 victory over Lewisville) between Dec. 21 and Jan. 3.
The timing proved to be just what the Lady Dragons needed, as the squad got back in the swing of things Friday with a convincing win over Keller, 65-33.
With the win, Carroll (4-1) bounces back from a Dec. 18 loss against District 4-5A foe Richland (5-0) and draws even with the Lady Indians (4-1) for second in district.
"Keller is always a tough team and has gotten out to a good start," said Teri Morrison, Carroll head coach. "But we played exceptionally well on Friday. It was a good team effort. We shot more than 50 percent from the field and had a 2:1 rebounding advantage.
"With Richland undefeated and Keller ahead of us, we really needed that win to climb back in the race. It was a good statement win for us."
Morrison was pleased in particular with how the Lady Dragons adjusted to a new-look defense from Keller.
"They were really trying to deny Kennedy (Leonard) the ball," she said. "But she still found a way to impact the game and we had some others that really stepped up."
Despite Keller's efforts, Leonard was one of four Carroll players in double figures at 10 points to go with eight assists. Kami Mickens, meanwhile, took advantage of her newfound freedom with 18 points, seven steals and five assists.
"Our execution continues to improve," Morrison said. "We got a lot of steals that really helped our transition offense as well."
Madison Drescher posted 14 points and paced the team in rebounding, while Lexi Smith chipped in 11 for Carroll, which led after one quarter, 24-11.
"Lexi has really been coming on," Morrison added. "She's a dual-sport kid who also plays varsity golf. It was just her third game back, so she is kind of getting her basketball legs back as I like to say. But she has the speed and quickness to run the floor but can also shoot the 3-pointer. She has been a nice surprise so far."
Like in the win over Keller, the Lady Dragons outscored Lewisville in all four quarters on Dec. 28.
Leonard (14) and Smith (13) led in scoring, while Mickens and Gretchen Morrison recorded nine and seven points, respectively.
"Gretchen has been a 3-point monster for us," Morrison said. "But teams are starting to do a better job of not letting her catch the ball in positions to shoot. We have plenty of other girls who can hit the three though. We've been a very solid shooting team."
Carroll continued in district Tuesday against Keller Fossil Ridge (results not available as of press time) before going on the road at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Haltom.
"Fossil Ridge is going to be a challenge," Morrison said. "We have to get the ball inside to score and play solid defense. I think the time off during the break for us was really a plus. We got a lot of practice and rest and got a chance to polish a lot of things. It was a bonus for us and now we have to keep it going."
Boys basketball: Dragons drop to 1-2 in district
While the Lady Dragons started well and pulled away from Keller, the same can't be said for the Dragons, which dropped to 1-2 in district Friday with a 67-46 loss to the Indians.
Carroll fell behind in the second quarter where they were outscored, 23-9, and the Indians put the contest away with a 16-7 spurt in the third.
Led by nine points from Ray Crockett, Carroll had a balanced effort that saw 12 different players score. However, the Dragons couldn't slow Keller's trio of Kyle Tanner, Austyn Kennedy and Nolan Taylor, which combined for 47 points.
The Dragons were coming off a 1-2 showing during the holiday break at the Trophy Club Byron Nelson Classic. After topping Fort Worth Southwest Dec. 27 in their opener, 106-51, Carroll came up short in the second round Dec. 28 against the host program, 68-62.
The Dragons erupted offensively in the second half with a 37-31 advantage but were unable to overcome a 37-25 deficit at the break.
Brett Jolly and Spencer Tietjin led Carroll with 14 and 10 points, respectively.
On Dec. 29, the Dragons responded to the loss to defeat Tomball, 59-51.
The Dragons hosted Fossil Ridge Tuesday (results not available as of press time) before going on the road at 8 p.m. Friday at Haltom.
The timing proved to be just what the Lady Dragons needed, as the squad got back in the swing of things Friday with a convincing win over Keller, 65-33.
With the win, Carroll (4-1) bounces back from a Dec. 18 loss against District 4-5A foe Richland (5-0) and draws even with the Lady Indians (4-1) for second in district.
"Keller is always a tough team and has gotten out to a good start," said Teri Morrison, Carroll head coach. "But we played exceptionally well on Friday. It was a good team effort. We shot more than 50 percent from the field and had a 2:1 rebounding advantage.
"With Richland undefeated and Keller ahead of us, we really needed that win to climb back in the race. It was a good statement win for us."
Morrison was pleased in particular with how the Lady Dragons adjusted to a new-look defense from Keller.
"They were really trying to deny Kennedy (Leonard) the ball," she said. "But she still found a way to impact the game and we had some others that really stepped up."
Despite Keller's efforts, Leonard was one of four Carroll players in double figures at 10 points to go with eight assists. Kami Mickens, meanwhile, took advantage of her newfound freedom with 18 points, seven steals and five assists.
"Our execution continues to improve," Morrison said. "We got a lot of steals that really helped our transition offense as well."
Madison Drescher posted 14 points and paced the team in rebounding, while Lexi Smith chipped in 11 for Carroll, which led after one quarter, 24-11.
"Lexi has really been coming on," Morrison added. "She's a dual-sport kid who also plays varsity golf. It was just her third game back, so she is kind of getting her basketball legs back as I like to say. But she has the speed and quickness to run the floor but can also shoot the 3-pointer. She has been a nice surprise so far."
Like in the win over Keller, the Lady Dragons outscored Lewisville in all four quarters on Dec. 28.
Leonard (14) and Smith (13) led in scoring, while Mickens and Gretchen Morrison recorded nine and seven points, respectively.
"Gretchen has been a 3-point monster for us," Morrison said. "But teams are starting to do a better job of not letting her catch the ball in positions to shoot. We have plenty of other girls who can hit the three though. We've been a very solid shooting team."
Carroll continued in district Tuesday against Keller Fossil Ridge (results not available as of press time) before going on the road at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Haltom.
"Fossil Ridge is going to be a challenge," Morrison said. "We have to get the ball inside to score and play solid defense. I think the time off during the break for us was really a plus. We got a lot of practice and rest and got a chance to polish a lot of things. It was a bonus for us and now we have to keep it going."
Boys basketball: Dragons drop to 1-2 in district
While the Lady Dragons started well and pulled away from Keller, the same can't be said for the Dragons, which dropped to 1-2 in district Friday with a 67-46 loss to the Indians.
Carroll fell behind in the second quarter where they were outscored, 23-9, and the Indians put the contest away with a 16-7 spurt in the third.
Led by nine points from Ray Crockett, Carroll had a balanced effort that saw 12 different players score. However, the Dragons couldn't slow Keller's trio of Kyle Tanner, Austyn Kennedy and Nolan Taylor, which combined for 47 points.
The Dragons were coming off a 1-2 showing during the holiday break at the Trophy Club Byron Nelson Classic. After topping Fort Worth Southwest Dec. 27 in their opener, 106-51, Carroll came up short in the second round Dec. 28 against the host program, 68-62.
The Dragons erupted offensively in the second half with a 37-31 advantage but were unable to overcome a 37-25 deficit at the break.
Brett Jolly and Spencer Tietjin led Carroll with 14 and 10 points, respectively.
On Dec. 29, the Dragons responded to the loss to defeat Tomball, 59-51.
The Dragons hosted Fossil Ridge Tuesday (results not available as of press time) before going on the road at 8 p.m. Friday at Haltom.
Copyright © 2013 - Star Local News