Leon’s Lady Cougars are headed to Austin

Leon’s Monique Dorsey drives around a defender. Sherry’s Shots The Leon Lady Cougars swept three games in the playoffs and are one of four teams vying for the state championship in basketball. This is the first time the Cougars have reached the Final Four in basketball, although they have several state trophies in volleyball.

The Cougars traveled to Whitehouse on February 23rd and defeated the White Oak Roughnecks 55-43. The Cougars jumped out in front 11-7 in the first quarter and led 23-16 at the half. They increased the margin to 9 as the fourth quarter began and put the game away by scoring 21 points in the final quarter to win 55-43. Allison Carrigan had a big game on offense and defense scoring 16 points and grabbing 16 rebounds. Ashley Shuldham also was strong on offense with 14 points and snared a game-high 18 rebounds. Monique Dorsey dished out 5 assists. The Cougars grabbed 66 rebounds as they repeatedly denied White Oak a second shot.

The Regional Champion Lady Cougars look forward to a trip to the Final Four in Austin. Contributed photo Stats for the Cougars against White Oak: Monique Dorsey 8 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists; Jentry Clary 1 rebound; Allison Carrigan 16 points, 16 rebounds; Elissa Downey 8 points, 7 rebounds; Chelby Stanford 2 points, 5 rebounds; Ashley Shuldham 14 points, 18 rebounds; Kendle Charlton 2 points, 1 rebound; Kori Charlton 3 points, 8 rebounds; Chrysti Grayson 2 points, 5 rebounds.

Regional Semi-Finals

The win put the Cougars into the Regional Semi-Finals against the Trinity Tigers in Tyler on February 26th and they took care of business 65- 51.

The Cougars had a strong first quarter as they scored 16 points and led by 6 entering the second quarter. The Tigers fought back and led by 2 at the half. The Cougars knew their season was on the line and came out firing 3’s in the third quarter. Allison Carrigan canned 3 three-pointers and the Cougars rolled up 21 points to lead 44-40 entering the decisive fourth quarter. The Cougars came out blazing in the final quarter scoring 21 points again to pull out a 65-51 victory and advancing to the regional finals against the New Waverly Bulldogs. The Bulldogs had surprisingly defeated a strong Marlin team 66-64 in a semi-finals game earlier in the evening. Marlin had won the district championship by defeating the Cougars on February 9th in Marlin.

Three Cougars scored in double figures: Carrigan 17, Downey 15, and Dorsey adding 12. Also, three Cougars had double figures in rebounds with Kori Charlton pulling down 11, and Carrigan and Shuldham 10 each.

Stats for the Cougars against Trinity: Grayson 6 rebounds; Kori Charlton 4 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists; Kendle Charlton 1 rebound; Shuldham 8 points, 10 rebounds; Stanford 5 points, 1 rebound; Downey 15 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists; Carrigan 17 points, 10 rebounds; Clary 4 points, 2 rebounds; Dorsey 12 points, 7 rebounds.

In the Regional Finals the Cougars knew that if they defeated the New Waverly Bulldogs they would be the first Lady Cougar basketball team to earn a trip to Austin and they had a 12-7 advantage beginning the second quarter. Each team scored 10 in the second quarter and the half had the Cougars with a 5-point lead. The Bulldogs came out strong in the third quarter scoring 19 but only cut their deficit to 4 as the fourth quarter began. Knowing if they lost it would be a long ride home to Jewett and they would have to wait till next year, the Cougars controlled the final quarter and won by a 56-48 score to win the regional championship. Three Cougars scored in double figures with Ashley Shuldham with 16, Allison Carrigan 15, and Monique Dorsey tossed in 10. Dorsey also led the team in rebounding with 11. Shuldham hit 4 three pointers and Carrigan nailed 3 to continue their torrid shooting from 3 point range.

Stats for the Cougars against New Waverly: Monique Dorsey 10 points, 11 rebounds; Allison Carrigan 15 points, 7 rebounds; Elissa Downey 9 points, 4 rebounds; Chelby Stanford 4 rebounds; Ashley Shuldham 16 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists; Kendle Charlton 1 rebound; Kori Charlton 6 points, 9 rebounds; Chrysti Grayson 4 rebounds.

The Cougars were excited about the regional championship but realize they need 2 more victories to win the state 2A title. The Cougars square against the defending stat champs Brock at 08:30 am on Friday March 5th followed by the game between Wall and Poth with the 2 winners meeting Saturday.

Brock was nearly upset by Peaster and won by a low scoring 27-25 game so the Cougars have a good chance to defeat Brock especially if their 3 pointers are hot and they get their share of rebounds. Brock has 2 girls 6’2” and the tallest Cougar is 5’7” but Coach Foley has taught the girls the most important factor in rebounding is desire and good position near the basket.

The Cougars have a well balanced offense with six or seven players capable of scoring 10-15 points, so the opposition cannot double team a player because any player can score big. The Cougars are one of the best three-point shooting teams in the state and also rank as one of the top rebounding teams in the state.

Coach Foley and his staff have done an outstanding coaching job with the girls this year and Coach Foley will be near the top, if not the top when the 2A Coach of the Year is announced.

Go, Lady Cougars and bring back a championship to Jewett and Leon County!

The Lady Cougars’ first game at Austin will be 8:30 Friday morning, March 5. If you can’t be at the game, you can follow the action on KMVL, at 100.5 on the FM dial.