Lady Badgers advance to title game of Llano Tourney
Llano Tournament

Casey O'Connor: Senior point guard was selected to the alltournament team.

After cruising past four opponents on Thursday and Friday, the Lampasas girls' basketball team pushed tournament-host Llano to the buzzer of the title game on Saturday.

The Lady Badgers (6-10) outscored Llano 31-18 in the second half but fell just short in a 44- 43 loss.

Michelle Benton scored a teamhigh 11 points, and Jennifer Howard and Latoscha Sherman scored 10 apiece in the loss.

"I was so proud of the girls the whole tournament, and especially in the championship game," LHS head coach Mitzi Lancaster said. "Their heart and determination to fight back from a 14-point deficit was inspiring."

In the first round, the Lady Badgers knocked off Blanco, 57-24. Sherman scored 14 points, and Benton scored 12.

In the second round, LHS blasted Harper, 59-24. Howard scored 19, and Molly Rogers added nine.

In the quarterfinals, the Lady Badgers hammered St. Andrews, 66-19. Benton scored 19, and Nicole Durante, Rogers and Sherman scored eight apiece.

In the semifinals, LHS topped Keene, 54-48. Howard scored 21, and Casey O'Connor chipped in 12.

Jennifer Howard: Senior scored 21 points against Keene in the semifinals.

Howard, O'Connor and Benton were selected to the all-tournament team.

The Lady Badgers, who lost to Marble Falls in their District 25-4A opener, will host Burnet tonight.

Michelle Benton: Senior guard scored in double figures in three of five games.