Anxiety at the start of the game didn’t come as a surprise: on Tuesday, Flour Bluff and Carroll played their first game in six days, not to mention the District 29-5A South Zone matchup.
It took a few quarters for both teams to find their way, but it was the Hornets who beat the Tigers 19–10 in the final two periods to go on to a 42–25 victory at the Carroll High School Arena.
Muck Bluff overcame Carroll’s early lead to improve to 24-2 overall and 2-0 in county play, with senior Harley Gallaspie leading all scorers with 14 points.
“We struggled during the warm-up and seemed unprepared,” Gallaspie said. “We saw it on the court, but once we talked at halftime, it really helped us and we started focusing on the little things we needed to do to get the win.”
The Tigers couldn’t have asked for a better start after keeping the Hornets on their toes for most of the first half.
Goals from Janaisha Kelly, Genesis Barnhart and Lyric Carpenter gave Carroll momentum before the Hornets closed the first half 5–0 to take a 23–15 lead at halftime.
Muka Bluff scored 10 points in the third quarter behind Gallaspie, Maddie Robinson and Maggie Croft who scored six of their 10 points in the second half.
“The intensity and execution were better (in the second half),” said Flour Bluff coach James McMinn. “Basically, we broke down on some things, but I’m hosting our first game after Christmas. It’s hard to beat Carroll.”
Justine Aguilar scored seven points while Robinson added five to speed up the Hornets’ attack.
Carpenter led the Tigers with nine points while Kelly scored seven for Carroll.
“It’s all right, but to be honest, we’re not at our peak yet,” said Nevae Lanter, senior Flour Bluff. “I’m not very happy because we all have so many opportunities to grow. Once we all come together and unite, I will be very happy and we will go far.”
The Hornets will resume play in the South Zone next Tuesday against Moody. The Tigers are also continuing their district game against Moody on Friday.
“We’ve all been playing for a very long time,” Gallaspie said of the Hornets’ early success. “I think there are different people on our team who can contribute in different ways.”
Tuesday Top Performers
boys
Christopher Jones, Port Aransas: Scored 28 points in a district win over Kenedy.
Bryce Burnett, Kalallen: Led the Wildcats with 16 points in a district win over Alice.
Alejandro Vasquez, Alice: Scored a game-best 18 points against Kalallen.
Cole Rivers, Skidmore-Tynan: Finished with 12 points in a win over Hebbronville.
Gavin Gaitan, Aransas Pass: Scored 14 points in a win over Gregory-Portland.
Jayden Moreno, Miller: Led the Bucks with 21 points in a win over Harlingen.
James Sakalas, Flour Bluff: Scored 17 points in a district win over Victoria West.
Pearson Casalas, London: Led the Pirates with 20 points against Ray.
Jesia Garcia, Ray: Scored a game-best 22 points against London.
Ruben Medrano, Mathis: Led the Pirates with 21 points in a victory over Santa Gertrudis Academy.
Diego Martinez, Santa Gertrudis Academy: Scored 18 points and led the Lions against Mathis.
Caleb Riojas, Annapolis Christian Academy: Finished with a game-best 22 against Coastal Christian.
Luke Baxter, Coastal Christian: Led Coastal Christian with 15 points against Annapolis Christian Academy.
Girls
Meisha Coleman and Shantai Hazel, Moody: Each scored 12 points in a district win over King.
Gianna Blanco, King: Led the Mustangs with nine points against Moody.
Harley Gallaspie, Flour Bluff: Led all scorers with 14 points in a district win over Carroll.
Lyric Carpenter, Carroll: Led the Tigers with nine points against Floor Bluff.
Nevea Garcia, Ray: Scored 12 points in the Texans’ district win over Miller.
Jordan Malone, Gregory-Portland: Led the Wildcats with a game-best 24 points in a district win over Victoria West.
Jaela Hicks, Oso West: Scored 19 points in a district win over Rockport Fulton.
Carra Davis, Beeville: Scored 19 points in a district win over Sinton.
Gracie Santellana, Sinton: Scored 14 points against Beeville.
Michaela Boyd, Kingsville: Finished with a game-best 27 points in a district win over Robstown.
Jackie Garcia, Mathis: Scored the best 26 points in the game against Marion.
Tatiana Mosley, Veterans Memorial: Led the Eagles with 18 points against Laredo United.
Maggie Morman, Skidmore-Tynan: Led the Lady Cats with 15 points in a win over Goliad.
