Burnet girls hoops takes on China Spring
The Burnet High School girls basketball team will face China Spring at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10, at Copperas Cove High School for a bi-district championship.
It’s a rematch of the season opener Nov. 5. The Lady Cougars (17-16, 4-6 third in District 23-4A) prevailed 56-53.
“We’re a way different team,” Burnet head coach Doug Messer said. “I bet they are, too. “
The game in November was played at China Spring and Burnet (17-15, 8-2 District 24-4A runner-up) was without junior Journey Denton and senior Sydney Lough, who were both playing volleyball.
The Lady Cougars like to run a pick-and-roll offense and use their posts to get high-percentage shots.
“They’ll shoot the 3(-pointer), they like the 2(-pointer),” Messer said. “They have a feisty guard, who gets after you on defense. They’re in a district you have to be good in.”
The Lady Dawgs enter the playoffs after thumping Lampasas 41-24 Feb. 4.
“I thought we ended it the way we needed to,” the coach said. “I wasn’t happy with the Jarrell game (62-50 loss Jan. 31). They have a solid squad, and we played on their turf. Against Lampasas, we did well. I’ve been pleased with it.
Burnet and Taylor are in the Class 4A Division I playoffs, while district members Jarrell and Salado are in the Division II playoffs based on enrollment.
Taylor faces two-time defending state champion Waco La Vega, while Jarrell plays Waco Robinson and Salado takes on Lorena.
Messer believes this district has prepared the playoff teams well. But the outcomes in the postseason will either back that up or not.
“I thought it did so more than in the past,” he said. “I think we’re more solid than in the past. I think this district is more competitive. I think the coaches do a fantastic job coaching their kids.”
It’s the first year for the split division, a change the University Interscholastic League approved in spring 2024.
Messer didn’t have an opinion yet on whether he liked the split divisions.
“I think we’ll have to play it out and see,” he said.
