This weekend, the girls basketball traveled to Georgetown to compete in the non-district Jack Frost Tournament.
“I think the team has a good opportunity to play against more competitive teams before district,” senior guard Chloe Schaeffer said. “The tournament is the closest experience we can get to playoffs because in both when you lose you’re done.”
On Thursday, the girls played their first game against the Incarnate Word Shamrocks. Starting out, the game was even as the Shamrocks led 10-9 after the first quarter. The second quarter followed similarly, with the Shamrocks still winning by a point. In the second half, the leopards pulled ahead 34-31. They continued to increase their lead and finished with a 55-43 win.
“I think overall the tournament went well,” junior guard Brinley Ludlow said. “I think we grew as a team and got better at the game. As well as the team chemistry is very strong on the team. We all got super close on and off the court..
Next, the girls faced the Waco Lions. Right off the bat, the girls took the lead by five points in the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Lions countered the leopards and tied the game up 28-28. From there, the game was neck-and-neck, each team battling for each point. Ultimately, the Leopards were victorious with the close score of 53-50.
“We knew that we needed to win that game so we could still be in the running for the championship,” senior guard Shelby Tokarz said. “Since we won that game, we had to play a tough team who we wanted to play. We were aggressive and wanted to win.”
The following day, the girls suited up to play the Mansfield Legacy Broncos. Beginning the first quarter, the Broncos scored three baskets taking the lead early. The Broncos continued this throughout the quarter with the score of 27-15 at halftime. The second half proceeded comparable to the first with the Broncos stretching their lead. In the end, the leopards suffered a loss of 31-52.
“I would describe the Mansfield legacy game as a learning experience,” Ludlow said. “I think they were a component where we were able to have competition and also learn how to work as a team and communicate.”
On Saturday, the girls played the Manor Mustangs in their final game of the tournament. The Mustangs took the win over the Leopards 55-35, sending the Leopards home.
“I think the team got out what specific thing we need to work on,” Tokarz said. “We have a better understanding of our strengths and weaknesses. We need to have better starts and we need to be encouraging to everyone.”
The girls went home with more experience and team bonding. This Tuesday, they play Centennial in a non-conference game.
“I felt like the tournament was a great learning experience and team bonding,” Tokarz said. “We all got super close with each other and we got close with our coaches. I thought it was good just not the outcome we wanted, these games are helping us prepare for district.”
