The Blanco girls basketball team finished its season in the bi-district round of playoffs Feb. 10 with a loss to Wall. The Lady Panthers finished the season 7-25 overall and 5-5 in District 5-3A games.
“It was a tough season and we had a really difficult schedule. The girls really came along and we played some of our best ball during district play,” coach Matt Karnes said. “We were really just a few plays away from winning more games. I am proud of the girls for the way they kept working even when we were struggling. I think that is what it’s all about and that experience will serve them well down the road.”
Senior Kaylee Romero was named the district offensive player of the year. Romero averaged 10.5 points per game in district play. She also averaged 3.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 3.5 steals and 0.4 blocked shots in the 10 district games. She averaged 8.5 points per game during the season for a total of 264 points. She hit 53 three-pointers and a shot a 22% average from that range. Romero had 116 rebounds, 41 assists, 91 steals and nine blocked shots on the season.
Kinley Boyd, a freshman, was named the district’s newcomer of the year. Boyd averaged 5.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, 0.3 assists and 0.6 steals per district game. She averaged 4 points per game in the season for a total of 127 points and made 101 rebounds, 18 assists, 26 steals and one blocked shot.
Sophomore Ashton Uballe received first team all-district honors. Uballe averaged 8.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 4.7 steals and 0.3 blocked shots per district game. She averaged 6.8 points per game on the season for a total of 212 points and had 188 rebounds, 47 assists, 97 steals and five blocked shots.
Carleigh Dotson, junior, was named first team all-district. Dotson averaged 2.7 points, 8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 4.4 steals and 0.3 blocked shots per district game. She averaged 2.2 points per game during the season for a total of 59 points with 180 rebounds, 27 assists, 89 steals and 10 blocked shots.
Senior Ava Silva received second team all-district honors. Silva averaged 3.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.5 blocked shots in district games. She averaged 3.8 points per game on the season for a total of 115 points along with 92 rebounds, 44 assists, 40 steals and 11 blocked shots.
Gretschen Grosch, junior, was named second team all-district. Grosch averaged 4.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 1.8 steals, and 0.9 blocked shots in eight district games. She averaged 3.7 points per game during the season for a total of 110 points and made 212 rebounds, 19 assists, 50 steals and 24 blocked shots.
Sophomore Payton Craft was named second team all-district. Craft averaged 1.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 0.2 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.6 blocked shots in 10 district games. She averaged 0.8 points per game during the season for a total of 26 points and had 102 rebounds, seven assists, 20 steals and 23 blocked shots.
“It was an interesting season being able to meet and be closer with the new teammates,” Romero said..”My favorite memory was hitting my first and last half court shot to end the second quarter against Ingram. I will miss the unforgettable feeling of playing a home game in front of my family and friends and my town and the feeling of being called over the speaker is indescribable.
“Over my four years of playing I’ve started so many friendships since I started including a few graduated teammates. Seeing them graduate and now I’m graduating I feel accomplished with the time and effort I’ve put into all of these years. I’m proud to say I’ve played for the Blanco Panthers.”
The entire Blanco varsity team received academic all-district honors. Those on the team were: Romero, Boyd, Uballe, Dotson, Silva, Grosch, Craft, Maddie Starry, Caroline Seymour and Kamryn Gaskamp.
“Thank you to our seniors, especially Kaylee who was with us for four years and really did a nice job as our leading scorer and main ball handler. We will miss her, Ava and Maddie and I wish them the best in the future,” Karnes said. “I was very proud of our young players. They all worked tremendously hard in the summer and they all improved. I’m really excited about what we have coming back and I know they are excited as well.”
