Eaglettes building momentum entering playoffs

Canton took two more steps forward in their quest to finish district play with a perfect record last week, picking up wins over both the Van Lady Vandals and Brownsboro Bearettes to improve to 28-6 overall including 9-0 in District 13-4A.

The Eaglettes, ranked ninth overall among all 4A teams in the state according to the latest Texas Association of Basketball Coaches weekly rankings, made it look easy against their chief rival Van, building up a big halftime lead and never looking back in a 66-24 win at home Jan. 30.

Canton set the tone early in the contest, aggressively driving to the rim over and over during the first quarter to build up an 18-7 lead. The formula continued into the second as Canton continued its dominance on both ends of the court to extend their advantage to 36-14.

Any chance of a comeback by Van would be put to rest in the third quarter as Canton put together its best stretch of the night to outscore the Lady Vandals 16-3. The Eaglettes closed out the night by topping Van 14-7 in the fourth quarter to secure the 42-point win.

Leadings scorers for the Eaglettes included Hannah Manry with 17, Kenley Nixon with 16, Ashley Wood with 15, Kayden Prox with 10, Mattie Tullos with seven and Kyndall Nilius with one.

Canton returned to the court Feb. 2, competing against Brownsboro in one of their most tightly contested games of district play. Despite the Bearettes’ challenge, Canton played well enough to score a 44-37 win over Brownsboro.

First quarter play favored the home team with Brownsboro taking a 10-7 lead over the Eaglettes. Canton responded to the deficit with their best quarter of the night, swarming defensively to limit the Bearettes to just one point. Entering the half, Canton held a 20-11 lead.

Brownsboro managed to shave three points off Canton’s advantage in the third quarter before another outburst by the Eaglette offense helped to fend off the Bearettes upset attempt.

Leading scorers for Canton included Hannah Manry with 15, Kayden Prox with 12, Kenley Nixon with eight, Mattie Tullos with five, and Ashley Wood and Kyndall Nilius with two points each.

Canton was slated to wrap district play at home against the Wills Point Lady Tigers Feb. 6 before beginning the playoffs either Feb. 12 or 13 against a team from District 14-4A. That district included Texarkana Pleasant Grove, Liberty-Eylau, Atlanta, Paris, Paris North Lamar and Pittsburg.