FORT WORTH – Boswell came into Friday’s game at the regional tournament for the first time since 2018 when the Pioneers were still in Class 5A. Friday’s was the program’s first in 6A. Now their one win away from the UIL state tournament after upsetting #2 Hebron 49-44 in a Class 6A Region 1 semifinal match at Wilkerson Greines Activity Center.
Boswell, #16 in the state rankings, will play #7 SGP in Saturday’s regional final.
The Pioneers trailed 23-21 at halftime.
Sydney Durrah hit a three-pointer to pull Boswell within 27-26 and then the Pioneers took a 29-27 lead after a couple of free throws by Camille Williams. Boswell got out in transition and Williams threw an assist to Tyra Knight for a 31-29 lead.
The lead grew to 34-29 that forced a timeout from Hebron with 2:45 left in the third.
Hebron senior post and West Virginia signee Jordan Thomas hit a couple of buckets in the paint and Williams rebounded her own miss and scored to push Boswell to a 36-34 lead entering the fourth quarter.
Boswell extended the margin to seven following a basket from Tori Echols and a straightaway three from Williams. The Hawks got back within 41-39 with 5:47 left to play. Durrah hit a layup followed by a Hebron three from Sydney Jones that trimmed the lead to 43-42 midway through the final stanza. Knight came back to hit a 10-foot jumper to give Boswell a 45-42 edge with 2:12 on the clock.
Paris Bradley hit a jumper from the baseline to get Hebron within 45-44 with 1:04 left. But that would be the final points for the Hawks and Boswell hit four free throws to secure the win.
Durrah led all scorers with 21 while Williams chipped in 16.
Boswell went 15 of 20 from the line. Durrah made all eight attempts.
Bradley led Hebron with 11 while Jones and Micah Cooper each had nine.
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SGP 62, SL Carroll 44
Taylor Barnes scored 25 points as the Warriors were too much for the Dragons in the first game of the 6A Region 1 tournament on Friday from Wilkerson. SGP will face Boswell on Saturday for a trip to state on the line.
SGP had beaten SLC in the same round two years ago.
This was Carroll’s fourth straight year at the regional tournament.
Erica Carr hit a basket early to get SGP on the scoreboard. Barnes later hit back to back buckets and the Warriors quickly got out to an 8-0 lead. But Carroll would respond with seven straight points. Nadia Jordan hit a contested layup followed by a Natalia Jordan bucket off a turnover and a three by Milania Jordan that got the Dragons within 8-7.
Anyla Herbert pushed SGP on top 13-9 with a three from the top of the key.
SGP led 15-9 after the opening quarter.
Milania Jordan and Taylor Barnes traded baskets as SGP led by six in the second quarter. Whitney Jense hit a short jumper for Carroll, but the Warriors continued to grow the lead to 22-13 and then 24-13 on a finish by Taliyah Parker (A&M) midway through the period.
Carroll got it back to seven on a jumper just inside the arc by Milania Jordan, but an offensive put-back by SGP made it eight. The Warriors took a 29-21 lead into halftime. SGP would have its first double digit lead early in the third on a Carr bucket.
It was 33-22 on a layup by Barnes.
The lead quickly rose to 17 on a Herbert steal and fast-break layup and a three by Spirit Sheriff. Taylor Barnes then scored on back-to-back possessions – nearly in the same spot (about 6 feet near the baseline) to get SGP up 49-28 entering the final quarter.
Herbert added 11 points for SGP and Parker had nine.
Milania Jordan led SLC with 15 while Nadia Jordan chipped in nine.
