Tigerettes stalled by Lions, COVID

By Melissa McCaghren

Slatonite GM

The Tigerette basketball team, and Slaton teams in general, have had a tough couple of weeks in basketball.

Not all of it due to an opponent they could see.

The boys team was under COVID quarantine for a time, and girls team Head Coach Tiffany Potts was under a close contact one.

The girls team however, was able to play a game against New Deal Tuesday (Dec. 1), under Assistant Coach Krysa Villegas’ direction.

The team lost 57-51; however Villegas said the team’s performance belied the final score.

“The game was very competitive from start to finish. The girls played hard. We just fell short at the end when New Deal hit a couple of big buckets,” she said.

“Offensively it was one of strongest games this season, but we needed to get a few more stops defensively.”

The game was also helpful for her as well.

“It was a fun game to coach. High energy from tip off to the final buzzer. The girls were very coachable and played hard through the coaching adjustment,” she said.

“There’s definitely a different pressure coaching at the Varsity level. It would have been a much harder transition  without the help of the other coaches.”

Top scorer of the game was Natali Soto, scoring 13 points.

“She did a fantastic job on offense finding the open gap in the zone and getting open,” said Villegas.

Other top scorers were Mary Jo Parker with nine, Andrea Moreno and Chloe Griffith with seven each, Sam Gatica with five points, Payton Potts and Emma Muniz with four each, Justyne Zapata with two and Layni Claborn with one.

Each player contributed to the team’s improvement against a tough Lions team.

“Mary Jo Parker had nine, hitting some crucial free-throws towards the end. Two of our posts, Andrea Moreno and Chloe Griffith, each earned a few buckets in the paint against a tough zone,” said Villegas.

“The girls played as a team throughout the entire game. I know they all wanted the (win) close ones are tough. We just have to use it as a teachable moment that will help us finish the close ones down the road this season.”

The team was then supposed to play Levelland and Estacado last week, however, Potts said the Tigerettes did not have enough players available, so they did not play.

The teams, however, started up play again Tuesday (Dec. 8) with both JV and Varsity boys and girls. Coach Stacy Godfrey said the boys team was out of quarantine Monday and resumed play Tuesdays.

Scores were not available at press time.

COVID continues to throw into play what will occur should the Tigers or any team – have to quarantine again.

Potts said the District discussed and voted on what to do in case this should happen again. “(We decided) to follow UIL guidance for Varsity contests postponed due to COVID-19 reasons,” she said.

“Games may be rescheduled and played on a date agreed upon by the two schools involved in the contest, or on a date as determined by the District Executive Committee, if the two schools cannot agree.

“Prior to the season, coaches shall submit a list of 15 players. In order for a game to be postponed for COVID-19 reasons, seven or more of the 15 players must be out due to COVID-19,” she added. “If either team is unable to play on the rescheduled date because of COVID-19, the team who could not play on the original date will forfeit.”

District begins Dec. 15.

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Other scores reported for area schools were:

• Southland 20, Southcrest 60, played Dec. 1 by the Eagles’ boys team.

• Roosevelt boys team played a game Dec. 1, losing to Floydada 50-49.

• Wilson is currently under virtual learning due to COVID and will not play again until at least January.