BY BRIAN GOSSET
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X- @gmsportsmedia1
THE COLONY – Boswell held Lancaster scoreless for more than six minutes in the third quarter and the Tigers only managed 13 points after halftime as the Pioneers won 48-32 in their Class 6A Division 2 state semifinal on Tuesday at The Colony HS.
Boswell (38-2), #2 in the TABC 6A state rankings, was playing in the semifinal round for the first time since 1977. The Pioneers advanced to their first state championship appearance, where they take on Fort Bend Hightower on 5 pm Saturday at San Antonio’s Alamodome.
“I’m super proud of my team. Everyone doubted us and didn’t think we were going to get here so I’m just proud right now and ready to go to state and win it all,” said senior guard Camille Williams, who scored 13 points for Boswell.
Williams is a Miami, FL signee and among the top 2025s in the country.
She was a McDonald’s All-American this season.
A rather lackluster start to the game from both teams that featured turnovers, missed shots, stifling defense and fouls – Boswell and Lancaster only scored a single point each through the first three minutes.
Things began to pick up with a jumper from Lancaster’s McKenzie White and a Boswell putback from Haleigh Jackson. The Tigers led 9-5 with under three minutes left in the quarter. Lancaster led 12-8 going into the second after White hit a contested jumper late.
Boswell pulled within 13-11 midway through the second on a short jumper by Salena Carrasco. The Pioneers went 5 of 10 from the free throw line in the second quarter and 7 of 16 in the half. Lancaster went 5 of 8 through the first two quarters and led 19-18 at the intermission.
Lancaster, #4, finished the season 27-6 with its first trip to the state semifinals.
The Tigers were in Class 6A for the first time.
Going into the third, Williams converted a three-point play and the Pioneers led 21-19. After White tied it at 21 with 6:04 left in the period, Boswell shut down the Tigers for the rest of the quarter. Sydney Durrah made a three-point play to push Boswell ahead 24-21. Free throw struggles by Boswell – missing seven in a row, but the Pioneers continued to draw fouls, get to the line and put Lancaster in foul trouble. The Tigers picked up their fifth team foul with five minutes left on the third quarter clock.
The Pioneers led 32-21 after three.
“That’s what we do. We have five young ladies that can put the ball on the floor and catch and shoot. The ability to play off each other and put pressure on the defense – night in and night out, it’s hard to find a team with five defenders,” Boswell coach John Reese said.
Added Williams, “I think that’s one of the best things we do. We’re very aggressive and very strong. We match our energy on offense and defense. We’ve been in moments like this so we came prepared.”
Boswell went 22 of 45 from the FT line.
Seleste Massey scored 11 for the Pioneers. Carrasco led the team with 14.
White led all scorers with 23 for the Tigers.
