Sweeny girls fall in Region III quarterfinal game

From the Brazosport Facts

CHANNELVIEW — It took four years to do it, but the Silsbee girls basketball team finally figured out the “obstacle course” that is the regional quarterfinal round.

Senior guard Dakota Matthews scored eight of her 15 points in the fourth quarter, and the Lady Tigers pulled away from Sweeny for a 52-37 win Tuesday night at Channelview High School.

In each of the last three seasons, Silsbee had fallen short in the Class 4A regional quarterfinals. This time, Matthews didn’t let it happen again.

“We knew we had to get over this obstacle course,” Matthews said. “Us seniors, we definitely weren’t going home without at least making a trip to the regional tournament.”

Before the game Tuesday, the Lady Tigers watched “David and Goliath” in an effort to get their minds focused and motivated, Silsbee coach Deborah Haynes said.

The tactic seemed to work well in the early minutes as Silsbee shot out to a quick start, leading Sweeny 14-6 just past the midway point of the first quarter.

An athletic Silsbee defense often got in passing lanes and forced turnovers that led to either transition points or trips to the free throw line. The Lady Tigers went 7-for-8 from the free throw line in the first quarter.

Silsbee led by as many as 10 points in the second quarter, but allowed Sweeny to get the margin back down to single digits.

At the half, Silsbee led 25-20.

“We’re always going to come out hyped up in the first quarter, but that second and third, we were a little down,” Matthews said.

In the third, the Lady Tigers went from forcing turnovers to committing them, keeping Sweeny in the game as a result.

Many Silsbee possessions ended with an off-target pass instead of a shot attempt.

Sweeny cut Silsbee’s lead to one possession late in the third quarter, but never got the clutch shot it needed to go on top.

After somewhat of a missed opportunity for Sweeny in the third quarter, Silsbee owned the fourth.

Led by Matthews’ eight points, Silsbee outscored Sweeny 15-6 in the final period. The final margin of 15 points was the Lady Tigers’ biggest advantage.

Silsbee senior Emery Maze matched Matthews’ scoring total with 15 points. They were the only two Lady Tigers to post double-digit points.

Junior Brandi Fields and Asha Strauther paced Sweeny with 12 points each. Jaidyn Fontenette had four steals and four assists, and Aubrion Phillips had nine rebounds and four steals.

Sweeny finishes the year at 31-7. Silsbee now advances to face Fairfield in the regional semifinals.