Girls edge out Paradise, 43-42

Paradise Girls Basketball Coach Chad Woodard was crystal clear in his point between quarters Jan. 12.

He told his Lady Panthers, who were down 9-6 after the first quarter, to “believe in yourselves” in a voice that left no doubt to anyone in the gym what he wanted to see. Paradise responded in kind, giving Jacksboro everything they wanted and nearly overcoming an eight-point deficit in the final minutes before falling 43-42 at JHS Gym.

In a second-place battle that closed out the first round of District 8-3A play, Jacksboro goes to 6-1 in the loop and 21-6 overall while the visitors fell to 5-2 and 15-8.

Tigerette Mentor Todd Matlock said Paradise was able to slow the game down and hold sophomore post Baylee Thompson in check.

“When you slow the game down, each possession becomes more critical,” Matlock said. “We had 12 turnovers, which normally isn’t bad, but it hurt us tonight.”

For further details, see the Jan. 19 Herald-Gazette.