Lady Dawgs qualify for third regional tourney in four years
PFLUGERVILLE — The Burnet High School girls basketball team’s 56-34 win against Navarro Feb. 21 in a Class 3A regional quarterfinal game was more like a coming-out party for Riley Scott.
The freshman point guard drove to the basket time and time again to lead the Lady Dawgs (22-13) with 22 points.
PHOTO 1: The Burnet Lady Dawgs won their third gold basketball trophy of the 2011 playoffs after defeating Navarro 56-34 Feb. 21 in the Class 3A regional quarterfinal matchup. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
In the process she helped the seniors reach their third regional tournament in four years. This time the Lady Dawgs will go to the American Bank Center Arena, 1901 North Shoreline in Corpus Christi, where they will face Columbia at 6 p.m. Feb. 24.
"Number 14 took over the game," Navarro head coach Darrell Harborth said.
"She’s had the talent," Burnet head coach Mike Cavender said. "She had to get comfortable as the younger player with the older players. She’s a tough cover, which should make it easier on (senior guards) Leah (Cotton) and Kati (Maldonado)."
Scott’s 8-of-11 shooting helped Burnet pull away from the Lady Panthers, who constantly harassed the Lady Dawgs with their full-court pressure defense. So every time she saw a lane or recorded one of her seven steals, she rarely missed a layup.
"I think it was important because our shots weren’t falling," Scott said. "I feel like we really blend together. We’ve really grown close."
In reality, Burnet had a 20-point lead with seven minutes 32 seconds remaining in the game. But Cavender said it never felt safe.
Still, the Lady Panthers weren’t going to let Maldonado score double figures, and Cotton’s 15 points came because she was too quick to cover.
So that allowed Scott to do her damage.
Burnet was never outscored in any quarter and held the Lady Panthers to 12 points in 16 minutes.
All four Lady Dawg starters had at least four fouls, with one starter fouling out. So Cavender leaned on reserves Casey Jo Stevens, Sarah Poe and Alli Styron, who all did a great job, he said.
"The fours were wild," he added with chuckle.
Harboth had a different view.
"They were quicker than us, they rebounded better, they were faster to loose balls. We couldn’t kick it into high gear," he said. "I’m glad Burnet is going to (Region I next year)."