Lady Cats nip H-J for top 21-3A seed

[KFDM COOP]

Lady Cats nip H-J for top 21-3A seed

Gabe Pruett

The Orange Leader

LUMBERTON — The top two teams in District 21-3A got together in Lumberton Friday night and neither team let the packed house at Lumberton High School down.

"Is there any better," Hardin-Jefferson Coach Carol Sims asked after the game. "Is there any better girls' basketball in Southeast Texas?"

Many would say no after Orangefield's 31-28 victory over the Lady Hawks to seal the first place seed out of the district heading into the playoffs.

Orangefield will now face Navasota late next week in the area round while Hardin-Jefferson will face Coldspring at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Woodville.

The game Friday was dramatic.

Orangefield (24-5) survived scoring droughts in both the second and fourth periods.

The Lady Bobcats also got some heroics from freshman Ashton Wagner.

Wagner, who was injured in the second half with a cut over her eye, came back in the game and made a difference.

Ashton Wagner blocked a Hardin-Jefferson shot with five-seconds showing on the clock with Orangefield up 29-28.

The block forced the Lady Hawks to foul sister Olivia Wagner who buried both free throws set the final score.

"She (Ashton) is a tough kid," Orangefield Coach Chris Jost said. "She has been such a spark since the start of district. She had early struggles early on, and even struggled a little tonight, but she came back and made some plays and snuffed out their last chance."

Hardin-Jefferson's Latrecia Moore was the only player in double figures Friday with 13 points. She added four rebounds.

Olivia Wagner led the Lady Bobcats with eight points, four rebounds and three assists. Allie Beach added five points and five rebounds while Aimee Scales put in four points, four rebounds and three steals. Kacy Juneau had four points, Jessica Weldon and Ashton Wagner finished with three. Morgan Taylor also got in the scoring act with two points.

The Lady Bobcats led 11-6 heading into the second and Olivia Wagner put Orangefield up 13-6 to start the period.

Orangefield was then held scoreless for the remainder of the period as the Lady Hawks took a 14-13 lead into the break.

Hardin-Jefferson was up 18-16 midway through the third before Orangefield responded with a very pivotal run.

Orangefield blasted past Hardin-Jefferson with a 11-0 spurt which was highlighted by five straight points from Weldon.

The Lady Bobcats were a combined 2-for-19 shooting in the second and fourth periods, 1-for-11 in the second and 1-for-8 in the fourth.

Victoria Fontenot added eight points and six rebounds for the Lady Hawks.

Jost applauded the Lady Bobcats' effort for holding the Lady Hawks to 28 points. This after defeating Hardin-Jefferson 50-39 last week.

"We are playing dang good defense right now," Jost said. "It has not all been our press. Tonight it was our half-court defense and the way we made them work for every shot. The third time to face them we knew what they would throw at us. What a gutsy, team effort."

Now the Lady Bobcats will prepare to take on the Navasota Lady Rattlers.

Navasota defeated Orangefield 76-69 a year ago after a few controversial calls down the stretch.

Jost was not ready to feed the fire too much just yet.

"We love the chance of getting another shot at them," Jost said.

[adminbaberuth]

Coop, i just watched your weather cast, i must say your good .  do y'all tape the newcast because no way you leave your chair and already be posting on the board this quick.

[Gabe]

Coop, i just watched your weather cast, i must say your good .  do y'all tape the newcast because no way you leave your chair and already be posting on the board this quick.

:D

[KFDM COOP]

All Live!!

[Gabe]

You can tell which job he takes more seriously though, that part is obvious. Or or or, hear me out....Coop was the first ever human to be cloned. Were you the test "dumbie" Coop?