Tigerettes fall to Jim Ned

DUBLIN – Heading into Friday night’s rematch with Tuscola Jim Ned, which had beaten Jacksboro by 21 in the opening weeks of the season, fans and players alike were interested to see how much the Tigerettes had improved in the last three months.

The answer: quite a bit.

Jacksboro gave the Lady Indians everything they wanted for three quarters here in a Class 3A area round matchup. Jim Ned used a first quarter offensive explosion to take control early but never could shake the Purple in a 42-31 win. 

Jacksboro, the second seed in District 8-3A, finished the year at 28-7.

Jim Ned jumped out to a 15-9 lead after one. Trinity Tisdale, fresh off a team-high 14-point performance in a bi-district win over Eastland, continued her strong playoff showing with four first quarter buckets. Haley Laake added a three-pointer and Baylee Thompson a basket for the Tigerettes.

In the second quarter, the inside-outside balance continued for the Purple, as Laake again converted from outside. Fellow junior Jaymee Yount accounted for a pair of inside buckets. Jacksboro was still in the hunt down 23-16 at the half.

A very slow offensive third quarter for both teams occurred with a combined eight points being tallied, Yount’s basket being the only offense for Jacksboro. The Tigerette defense, which it has hung its hat on all year, was able to keep the squad in the game down just 29-18 heading into the fourth frame.

Jacksboro gave it one last fabulous gasp in the final eight minutes. Using a pair of baskets and a perfect 4-4 at the free throw line from Laake, Jacksboro was able to get within 35-30 with about two minutes left. Being forced to foul to get the ball back, the Lady Indians hit their free throws down the stretch and were able to pull away and make the game less close than it actually was.

Senior Kaylea Maples had a basket and free throw late with Tisdale and Yount each going 1-2 from the line in the final frame. For the game, Jacksboro was an impressive 7-10 from the stripe.

Laake had 14 points to lead the Tigerettes.