LEANDER — Sophomore Glenn Soma Okolo scored 21 points on 11 rebounds, Mariah Houston added 15 points, and Marissa Hernandez hit the game-winning free throw with 14.4 seconds left as the Grizzlies deflected a furious Cedar Park play to win 46-44 in the 11th district. -5 Friday night game.
“Cedar Park is a great team, very well trained and they know how to win,” said Glenn’s coach Jordan Ramey, whose team improved to 19-4 overall and 4-1 district after their sixth win in a row. “We”. We are still building our program, so this win is very important.”
The Timberwolves, two-time reigning state champions, lost 11–13 and 2–3.
While Ramey focused on teaching his team fast passing and lane penetration, About was electrified when the 6-foot-1 sophomore scored all eight of Glenn’s points in the first quarter on two NBA three-point shots and a nimble tear-off toss from the side.
“I felt good. and we knew they were good,” said Okolo. “I really focused on getting a good look at the basket and playing a tough game.”
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The second quarter was marked by a pair of hitting streaks as Glenn wiped out Cedar Park’s 16-8 lead at 9-0 when Okolo hit another 3-pointer and then Houston threw a couple of interceptions, drove down the lane, scored a goal, he was fouled on. , and transformed both free throws into a more traditional pair of three-point plays.
Cedar Park responded that senior point guard Molly Lee was leading the bucket and a pair of three-point shots put the Timberwolves back in first place, 24–17. Hernandez landed her only siren three-pointer of the night, sending the game into halftime with the Timberwolves leading 24–20.
“Glenn is a really good team,” said Cedar Park coach Donny Ott. “They are explosive and athletic and have had the ability to score in serious runs. We needed to defend the ball and play well inside and we had a dry period before the fourth quarter started.”
Glenn beat Cedar Park 10-6 in the third quarter to tie the game 30-30 before scoring eight in a row to open the fourth quarter. Houston hit a 3-point shot, while Cindy Foka converted an inside shot and was fouled on a 3-point play. Near ended the run by jumping the baseline to take a 38-30 lead. Cedar Park received a three-pointer from Lee, who finished with 14 points, but Houston responded with a three-pointer and the Grizzlies took a 44–33 lead with 2:29 left.
Cedar Park put on a strong streak, starting with Kennedy Carlisle’s inside basket and then picking up a 3-pointer from Hope Edwards. The drama intensified when Edwards was fouled by Houston, who fouled that call. Edwards hit both free throws to cut the Grizzlies’ lead to 44–40 with 1:33 left.
“Mariah is the best point guard I have ever coached,” Ramey said. “When she left, it hurt our ability to distribute and they took advantage of that.”
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Carlisle intercepted the ball and was fouled, hitting both ends one-on-one. Mariah Davis then made an interception and passed in the paint to Carlisle, who hit the basket and equalized with 57.2 seconds left.
Glenn cut the time and Hernandez was fouled. She hit the front one-and-one for a 45-44 lead. Cedar Park rebounded on the second free throw to call a time-out with 20 seconds left, but the Timberwolves were unable to strike as Foka tied Carlisle for a held ball and Glenn held the arrow of possession. Cedar Park fouled and Okolo scored one free kick with three tenths of a second remaining in the final score.
“It was just a great game,” Ramy said. — We were lucky to win, and such a victory is extremely important for our program. It’s a really good area and we have to play well to beat the best teams.”
21 points “About” became the top scorer. In addition to Houston’s 15 goals, Hernandez had four, with Lauren Taylor and Foca each scoring three goals for the Grizzlies. Lee led Cedar Park with 14 points, Edwards with 12, Carlisle finished with eight and Molly Mitchell with five.
In another bout, Hayes (25-3, 5-0) and Liberty Hill (22-5, 5-0) won, once again taking first place in the 25-5A district. Nila Castillo and Endia Steagall scored 17 points each as Hayes beat Rose 68-22. Thus, Rose (8–17, 2–3) was tied with Cedar Park for third in district 11–5A, two games behind second-place Glenn. Liberty Hill kept their roster clean with a 67-23 (10-15, 1-4) win over Lockhart. Hayes will travel to Liberty Hill on Tuesday.
