Lady Badger seniors close careers with emotion-filled effort
Dripping Springs 39, LHS Girls 34
By JEREMY HEATH Staff Writer

Left: Senior guard Jennifer Howard is congratulated by her parents during the Parents Night celebration before Tuesday night's 39-34 loss against Dripping Springs. Above: Michelle Benton is escorted by her parents before the game. Lady Badgers Alma Sandoval, Howard, Casey O'Connor, Molly Rogers, Latoscha Sherman and Benton played their final games in Blue and White.

It might not have turned out exactly like they'd dreamed it would.

But the Lampasas High School senior girls basketball players -- despite the ugliness of the game itself -- closed their careers with one of their best performances of the season Tuesday in a 39-34 loss to Dripping Springs.

LHS finished its season 10-20 overall and 3-11 in District 25-4A, but it also produced a 19-point differential between Tuesday's game and its first meeting with Dripping Springs, a 74-50 Lady Tiger win. And the girls did it against a team with plenty to play for. With the win, Dripping Springs tied Lake Travis for third place in the district, forcing a playoff between the two teams tonight to see who advances to the playoffs.

"It was a little disappointing not to win (in our final game)," said senior guard Michelle Benton who played despite being extremely sick. "But I'm really proud of my team and their effort. It was sad to see the season end. It seemed like it came to an end so fast."

The first half was painted by a combination of solid defensive play and lackluster shooting. The score after one quarter was 4-4. Dripping Springs led 13-9 at the half.

PHOTOS BY RICHARD AKRIDGE

Early in the third, the Lady Tigers got hot and charged to a 21-11 lead. A Casey O'Connor 3-pointer sparked an LHS rally that saw the Lady Badgers pull within 23-19 when senior Molly Rogers fed senior Jennifer Howard in the lane for a layup at the third-period buzzer.

The Lady Badgers would get as close as 23-20, but 6'1" senior Lady Tiger Morgan Passino scored nine of her game-high 17 points in the fourth quarter to fend off LHS.

Howard and sophomore post Lauren Barlow each finished with nine points to lead LHS. Seniors Latoscha Sherman and Benton scored four apiece. O'Connor and Rogers scored three apiece, and sophomore Sarah Bishop scored two.

"I was more nervous before the game than I thought I would be. There was a lot of adrenaline, and everyone wanted to play their best. We gave a great effort even though we didn't win. It's been a fun season, and we all have a lot of great memories."
- LHS guard Jennifer Howard on her final game at LHS