BALLINGER, TX — In a matchup of first-place teams that win with defense, it was Roscoe that found the most success on offense Friday in a 53-37 win over Ballinger.
The Plowgirls’ relentless pressing defense helped them build an early lead, and their offense put the game away in the second half.
Both teams entered the game with 3-0 records in District 8-2A, and their defenses gave the other trouble from the opening tip.
“I think early on we were rattled, much like they were,” Ballinger head coach Nathan Riggan said. “Like I told them before the game, ‘Everything we get tonight will be earned.’ I mean, they busted the whole time. So nothing’s going to be easy. They come all four quarters.
“So I think a lot of it had to do with the pressure early, and maybe first place being at stake was in their minds a little bit.”
Ballinger was within 19-17 late in the first half, but back-to-back steals by Roscoe led to baskets that gave the Plowgirls a 25-19 halftime edge.
They took control in the third quarter and led 38-25 by the end of the frame.
Ballinger had a late rally to get within 40-32 before Zoey Welch took over for Roscoe with some clutch drives down the stretch to seal the win.
Welch finished with 22 points, while Ava Burrell had 13 and Kelbi Parks had 12.
“Offensively, it’s hard to shut us down, because we have several girls that can score and will take it to the basket,” Roscoe head coach Shella Arnwine said. “(Welch) is a senior and she’s been on varsity since she was a sophomore, so she’s seasoned and she kind of took the game into her hands and finished it off like we needed.”
Roscoe improved to 16-8 overall and 4-0 in district, while Ballinger fell to 12-7, 3-1.
Ballinger was led by Matilda Galvan with 13 points and Ashtyn Wilson with 10.
Roscoe will host Miles on Tuesday, while Ballinger will be at home against Colorado City.
Subscribe to the LIVE! Daily
Required
Post a comment to this article here: