Tigerettes win 8-3A opener

Jacksboro had a strong start but Henrietta controlled things for most of the game until the final two minutes when Jacksboro overcame a six-point deficit and held on for a 44-41 win.

Jacksboro is now 1-0 in the loop and 11-4 overall while Henrietta drops to 0-1 and 6-9. 

With Henrietta leading 40-34, Jaymee Yount's buckets got the Purple within one. With under a minute to go, Jordan Nichols tipped the ball away from Henrietta's Hollie Thomas which Tigerette senior Kaylea Maples picked up and came through with the layin, giving the Tigerettes a one-point lead with 50 seconds left.

Henrietta missed a shot and Nichols, who had been silent offensively, buried a pair of free throws to extend the lead to three with 34 seconds remaining.

Thomas, who had 18 points for the Lady 'Cats, got called for a charge and another turnover with 28 seconds left. Jacksboro had a chance to put the game out of reach but missed a pair of free throws. 

Henrietta then tried to set up a shot but Maples came through with the steal of the inbound pass with just over a second left to ice the win.

Tigerette Coach Todd Matlock said Nichols proved pivotal simply by trying to force Thomas to go left.

"We had been trying to get Jordan to force her left for most of the second half," Matlock offered. "Once we were able to do that, there was no way for Thomas to operate."

Jacksboro had balanced offensive production with Maples leading the charge with 12 points. Haley Laake added nine with Leah Plaster and Yount tossing in eight each.

The girls return to action Friday in a 6:30 p.m. home game with City View.