Lady Tigers ousted from playoffs
4th quarter rally falls short against HJ

Photo contributed by Terrell Jessen Wharton's Vernequa Taylor drives against the defense in to a recent district game against Stafford.

DEER PARK - A fourth quarter rally by Wharton's girls basketball team came up short in a Region III Class 3A area round 65-58 loss to Hardin-Jefferson Friday night.

Down 58-36 after the third quarter Wharton rallied back to make it a fourpoint game with under a minute left.

"We finished the first quarter with a huge deficit," said Wharton coach Laura Guidry.

"So we battle the whole game, we were always behind.

"At one point in the game they were up 50 to 25. The girls continued to battle and slowly we would creep up. Our biggest problem was that our shots weren't falling. There were other issues, but it was our shooting, or lack thereof, that cost us the lost.

"The fourth quarter was a big battle. There were some incredible plays and shots made. We managed to close the gap but ran out of time for a victory. We scored the most points in the fourth quarter.

"I guess the girls were hustling the most and they were finally comfortable."

The Lady Hawks advanced to the regional quarterfinal round and battled Royal Tuesday night in Deer Park.

Hardin-Jefferson jumped out to a commanding 21-10 lead after the first quarter and went up 39-20 at halftime.

The Lady Hawks then outscored the Lady Tigers 19-6 to build their big lead.

Vernequa Taylor led Wharton with 15 points and also had five assists.

Shaniqua Dogins finished with 15 points and 17 rebounds.

Jalessa Jones scored 15 points and had eight rebounds and six assists.

Desuare Matthews added eight points. Chandra Johnson added six and Latoy Lavan added two.

Wharton finished the season at 19- 5

"It's been an interesting journey," said Guidry.

"Its been absolutely wonderful winning district. It has been my hardest coaching assignment to date but also the one I've enjoyed the most. It's a great feeling to have such athletic ball players. I'm fortunate to lose only one player for next year.

"Hopefully, next year we should have another great season provided my girls work on basketball and conditioning during the off-season."

Also in the top of the bracket, Diboll played Fairfield.

In the bottom of the bracket, Madisonville played Waco Robinson and Navasota battled Orangefield.

The regional tournament will be played Friday and Saturday at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville.