Even with the Texas Legends idle this week thanks to the NBA D-League’s All-Star game, there is more than enough Frisco hoops taking place near the city limits. With girl’s hoops in the quarterfinals and boy’s b-ball getting underway with bi-district play, there is more than enough round ball to satisfy all court connoisseurs.
4A Region II Quarterfinals—Girls
Frisco Centennial (20-10) Vs. The Colony (20-9)
After holding Carrollton Newman Smith to just 32 points in bi-district and limiting Dallas Carter to a paltry 29 in last week’s area round, the Lady Titans are poised to take on The Colony in tonight’s UIL Regional Quarterfinal.
This has all the makings of a classic playoff matchup as the two district foes will meet for the third time this season. The Colony was the second-seeded playoff team from 9-4A with Centennial earning a berth as the third seed. During their regular season meetings, the Lady Titans won the initial game (39-37), with the Lady Cougars making the necessary adjustments to blow out Centennial in their next meeting, 53-30.
Centennial’s Jaysa Cooper has led the Lady Titans thus far in the postseason while averaging 15.5 points per game. Key to a Centennial win will be to stop The Colony’s offense, which has been averaging a robust 58.1 ppg, led by Jade Williams and her 16.1 ppg.
Frisco Liberty (26-3) Vs. West Mesquite (26-5)—7:00 PM @ Sachse
The regional quarterfinal showdown pits the District 9-4A Champion Lady RedHawks against the 10-4A Champion Lady Wranglers.
Much like Centennial, the road to the Lady RedHawks’ success has been paved by stringent defense. Allowing just 32.5 points per game thus far, Liberty will look to employ the same strategy against West Mesquite tonight.
This should prove to be Liberty’s biggest test thus far, as W. Mesquite has averaged a whopping 61 points per game this postseason. Containing Jazmyne Walker (23.5 ppg) and Alexus Bertrand (13.5 ppg) will be of the utmost importance for the Lady RedHawks.
The Lady Wranglers are no mystery to Liberty, as they met back in November at the Frisco ISD Tip-Off Classic. In that game, the Lady RedHawks took home the win, 54-46. In order for Liberty to take down W. Mesquite once again, they’ll need solid defense and continued excellence from their leading scorers—Kayla Mundy (15.5 ppg), Ashlee Fletcher (13.5 ppg) and Bria Frierson (14 ppg).
3A Region II Quarterfinals—Girls
Frisco Lone Star (21-9) Vs. Celina (26-6)
The Lady Rangers have employed consistent defense and just enough offense as their ticket to the regional quarterfinals. They held both Krum and Melissa to 34 points of offense as they netted 40.5 per game.
Much like the aforementioned The Colony versus Frisco Centennial contest, this game features District 10-3A’s second-seeded Celina against the third-seeded Frisco Lone Star. Celina defeated the Lady Rangers in both contests during the regular season, 45-42 and 48-33.
The Lady Bobcats have turned to Sarah Cantu (20 ppg) and KJ Stastny (19.5 ppg) when they need offense. Lone Star is led by Zoie Miller (18 ppg).
4A Region II Bi-District—Boys
Frisco (19-9) Vs. Carrollton Newman Smith (19-6)—Tuesday 7:30 @ Lewisville
After smoking Frisco Liberty 75-49 in the District 9-4A tiebreaker to claim the third seed last Friday, the Raccoons set their sights on the District 10-4A second-seeded Carrollton Newman Smith Trojans.
In order to pull off the upset, the ‘Coons will need another big game from both Jaylon Cleveland (16 ppg) and Julian Stephens (15 ppg). Newman Smith’s offense is led by its two big guns—Deondre Burns (20.4 ppg) and Darion Brown (14.7 ppg. 6.7 ast/g).
Frisco Heritage (24-3) Vs. Carrollton Creekview (13-14)—7:30 PM Tuesday @ Little Elm
The Coyotes have plenty of reasons for optimism as they enter their initial UIL Playoff game. Heritage beat Creekview handily, 61-34, back in December thanks to double-digit scoring performances by Wesley Franklin (17pts), Jordan Box (16pts) and Jordan Corbitt (12pts).
District 10-4A’s fourth seed, Creekview, will need to stop the aforementioned Heritage Three and get a big game from its big gun, Deandre Abram (10.3 ppg).
3A Region II Bi-District—Boys
Frisco Liberty (16-10) Vs. Highland Park (27-4)—Tuesday 7:00 @ Hebron
Liberty wound up with the final 9-4A playoff seat after it lost its tiebreaker to Frisco in blowout fashion.
The RedHawks will have their work cut out for them as they try to contain Highland Parks big three—Derek Cahn (15.9 ppg), Clayton Murtha (14.2 ppg) and Evan Beucler (12.4 ppg). Liberty is led by Ashten Bloom (15.3 ppg) and Carter Brown (10 ppg).
Be sure to check back often as Lifestyle Frisco will keep you up to date with all of the latest UIL High School Basketball playoff pairings and results.
