By Terry Carter
After a magical 50-47 quarterfinal victory over Hightower on Tuesday, the Katy Lady Tigers basketball team plays in the regional tournament this weekend.
Tonight Katy (32-2) faces off against regional power Pearland (33-3) at 6 p.m. at the Aldine ISD Campbell Center in one semifinal. The winner will meet the victor between Memorial (28-10) and Summer Creek (34-4), playing in the 7:30 p.m. Region III-6A semifinal, on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Saturday’s winner and Region III champion will advance the girls’ state basketball tournament.
Katy’s victory on Tuesday was dramatic. Tied at 47-47 with fewer than 10 seconds left in regulation, Lady Tiger Lyric Barr hit the game-winning, 3-pointer. Barr finished the game with 18 points and was 6-of-6 from the free throw line.
Katy’s strength was again balance and diversity. Brian Nelson and Ashlynn Alexander added seven points each, and Nyla Wold scored eight for the District 19-6A champions.
Kayla Marhofer made only one shot, but her 3-pointer was crucial in the victory. Katy Briny and Ella Robinson also each hit a field goal.
- Also on Tuesday Tompkins and Memorial squared-off in another regional quarterfinal. Memorial maintained momentum most of the game, posting a 62-55 win over the disciplined and defense-minded Tompkins Lady Falcons. Memorial jumped out to an early 12-4 lead before Tompkins made a second-quarter run. The score was 22-21 Memorial at halftime. Lady Falcon leading scorer didn’t connect often until the second quarter when she netted a 3-pointer followed by a 2-point field goal to give Tompkins its first lead at 15-14.
