BASKETBALL: Tigerettes keep undefeated district record after 56-48 victory against Oak Ridge

SHENANDOAH, Texas — A strong defense shot the Conroe girls basketball team to victory against Oak Ridge 56-48, improving their district record to 4-0.

The match-up began in the Lady War Eagles’ favor as they set the lead for the game, but it did not last long. Conroe immediately picked up their defensive game and pushed their way ahead of Oak Ridge, ending the first half 30-21.

The Tigerettes returned to the third quarter with even greater momentum and put a 15 point difference between the opponents just before the final quarter of the game, but Oak Ridge came back and started quickly closing the gap. Conroe head coach Tamisha Houston said she told her team that the only way to maintain their lead would be to continue with a strong defense before the start of the fourth quarter, but she said instead of keeping their pace, the girls began to relax.

“To them, 15 looked like 35, but it’s not,” Houston said. “They let up on the defense again, and we made some costly turnovers, so I had to talk to them and tell them, ‘You guys just let a 15 point lead go to a six point lead,' and it’s because we’re not doing the small things. We have to continue to defend. I think got a little too comfortable with our lead. We’re still trying to develop that killer instinct. Finish them. Finish the game.”

Led by senior forward Jordan Allen, Conroe stepped up their defense in the last few minutes of the game with a final score of 56-48.

“Playing on the inside, [Jordan’s] worked on her game enough to know where she can dribble the ball up the floor, and she can score on the inside, so she’s got a great confidence going that will take off the pressure,” Houston said. “Jordan stepped up tonight, and she stepped up big.”

Thrilled with their season’s success, Houston said her team has finally started believing in themselves and contributes the support they have for each other to each victory they’ve seen on the court.

“I’m happy because the girls are playing hard. We’re having some success, so they’re believing that they can do it,” Houston said. “I’m just pleased with the way that they’re coming together, and they’re fighting for each other. I am elated that these girls are having the success that they’re having.”

The Tigerettes will play their next match at home against Summer Creek High School Friday, January 8.