Photo by Victor Tapia
Lady Panther Jordan Strickland is fouled by a pair of Ponder
defenders earlier in the season.

Lady Panthers overcome early lose, capture title

By David Jenkins
Staff Writer

Princeton returned to its winning ways last week by capturing the consolation title at the Dec. 3-5 Garland ISD Coca-Cola Tournament at Garland High School.

“We played pretty well in the tournament,” head coach Dexter Ivy said. “We had some kids hurt in the opening game but played really well in the final three. All in all, I am really pleased with the outcome.”

They started tourney action Dec. 10 on a 50-20 defeat to Class 5A Garland at the Special Events Center in Garland.

That loss dropped them into the consolation bracket and a matchup versus 5A Rowlett the following day.

The Lady Panthers rolled to the 56-38 victory at Sachse High School, behind 14 points from Jonae Isaac.

Also chipping in were Elyse Ivy (11), Jordan Strickland (nine), Rachel Bail (five), Joneisha Isaac (four) and Amber Morton (two).

They followed that with a win against 5A Grand Prairie at Garland High School. 

The Lady Panthers wrapped up the consolation championship Dec. 5 on a 57-48 triumph over 4A Highland Park.

Princeton’s top scorer for the game was Strickland, who poured in 28 points.

Rounding out the stat sheet were Bail (seven), Kathryn McMahan (six), (Jonae) Isaac (six), Ashley Morton (four), Ivy (four) and (Joneisha) Isaac (two).

The Lady Panthers returned to the court Dec. 8 versus Argyle, last year’s 3A state runner-up. Results were unavailable at press time. 

“The (Argyle game) will be tough,” coach Ivy said.  “They were in the state championship game last year and return four of their top six players. It’s always a tough place to play over there on the road.”

Games remaining on the pre-district slate are: 3A Paris (Dec. 15), 5A McKinney Boyd, 2A Melissa (Dec. 21) and the 52nd Annual Whataburger Tournament (Dec. 28-30 in Fort Worth).

The Lady Panthers open the Whataburger Tournament in the Blue Division 11:30 a.m. Dec. 28 versus 3A Fairfield.

A win has them facing the victor of the Frisco Liberty Christian-Tuscola Jim Ned matchup at 2 p.m. the following day.

However, a loss drops them into the consolation bracket at 3:30 p.m. on the same day versus the loser of the previously mentioned contest.

All games will be played at Saginaw High School in Fort Worth.

Other teams competing in the Blue Division are Dallas Bishop Dunne, Fort Worth All Saints and Fort Worth Nolan Catholic, Class 2A state champion Brock, Peaster, Class 3A teams Saginaw, Cleveland, Springtown, Cayuga, Argyle and Abilene Wylie, along with 4A Cook Inlet Conference member West Anchorage, Alaska.