Christoval stays undefeated in District 7-2A, clinching title with win over Ozona
CHRISTOVAL — In a densely packed and loud gymnasium, two of the best Class 2A girls basketball teams in Texas, No. 11 Christoval and No. 13 Ozona, faced off for the second time this season with the winner securing a firm grasp on District 7-2A.
As anticipated, the game was back-and-forth throughout, however, Christoval pulled away late in the fourth quarter and held onto an eight-point lead with 1:40 left. Christoval and the visiting Ozona crowds rode the highs of 3-pointers, jumpers, rebounds and blocks from some of West Texas' best teams and players all night. The loudest moment came, though, when Christoval sophomore guard Sophia Nemec took a defensive charge on an Ozona fast break, prompting an exuberant fist pump from Christoval girls high school basketball coach Brad Blalcok.
"(Ozona) just made a shot and that (charge) was a big momentum shift that got the crowd going," Blalcok said. "And so I think the kids want to feed off that energy and I think anytime it's good, that's fun."
Riding the wave of momentum swings helped the Lady Cougars (24-7, 11-0) win 52-43 over the Lady Lions (27-5, 10-2) at Christoval High School on Friday, cementing their district championship with two games remaining in the regular season.
Christoval started the game with an early lead, but by the end of the first quarter, Ozona led 13-8 behind 11 points from Vale Garza. The Lady Cougars retook the lead in the second with Madyson George scoring 11 of her team-high 20 points, which gave Christoval a 25-20 lead at the half.
Ozona was firing on all cylinders in the third quarter and reclaimed the lead 29-28, inducing an early time-out from Blalcok in the third quarter.
"I pulled everybody together and I said, 'Girls, this is fun, this is an energy you've created — you've allowed us to be in this position because you work so hard,'" Blalock said. "I think anytime you can step back and take a deep breath and look around and see all the good around you, I think that's a fun thing. We talk about the Ted Lasso 'Have a goldfish mentality.'"
After Blalcok's timeout, the Lady Cougars outscored Ozona 24-14 with Halle Hughes icing the game sinking two free throws with less than 40 seconds remaining.
The Lady Cougars travel to Sonora next week, while the Lady Lions host Sterling City on Tuesday before both teams close out district play on Feb. 6.
District 7-2A
BOYS
Christoval 60, Ozona 38
Christoval 5 15 18 22 - 60
Ozona 6 7 12 13 - 38
Christoval (13-10, 6-2): Garrett Thompson 2, Stanton McGlothlin 2, Ethan Busch 16, Bruce Cooper 14, Camdin Balderas 9, Gavin Balderas 12, Brennan Blalock 3.
Ozona (13-14, 2-6): Micahel Preddy 3, Michael Daniels 12, Wyatt Bean 5, Christian Villareal 2, Bernie Blanco 3, Hudson Fowler 12.
GIRLS
Christoval 52, Ozona 43
Christoval 8 17 12 15 - 52
Ozona 13 7 9 14 - 43
Christoval (24-7, 11-0): Madyson George 20, Halle Hughes 16, Jae Thomason 2, Serena Gonzalez 3, Sophia Nemec 6, Jordyn Walker 2, Kaylin Workman 1, Braylee Silvia 2.
Ozona (27-5, 10-2): Kelyn Gass 6, Faith Quiroz 6, Alondra Garza 4, Avery Davidson 2, Mia Davidson 4, Vale Garza 21.
This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: High school basketball: Christoval girls feed off energy against Ozona
