For a second time in three years, the Shallowater Fillies are headed back to the UIL state semifinals.
Shallowater showed its veteran savviness, starting off hot and never looking back to take down Bushland 67-48 to win the Region I-3A Division I championship Friday night in Dimmitt.
The Fillies are headed back to the state semifinals for the first time since winning the UIL Class 3A state title in 2024.
“This is a big deal for us,” said Shallowater head coach Kurt Richardson, who led Shallowater to that 2024 state championship. “This is an awesome feeling for this team. They have worked their tails off to be where they are and it’s awesome to see them reap the benefits. We just want to keep pushing toward San Antonio.”
Shallowater (28-7) will now take on Emory Rains (34-4) in the state semifinals at a time and place to be determined. The Lady Falcons end a history making run at 28-10.
The Fillies didn’t show any nerves against Bushland on Friday, getting out of the gates hot, going up 18-9 after the first quarter. Shallowater continued that pressure with strong shooting in the second quarter by taking total control, taking a 37-18 lead into halftime.
“We shot the ball extremely well,” Richardson said. “That allowed us to put pressure on Bushland and set the tone, and I think that allowed us to relax and just play basketball. We came out aggressive, and when you knock down 3-pointers it helps.”
Linley Wright had a stellar game for Shallowater, pouring in a game-high 24 points behind five, 3-pointers. Keelie Williams and Kamryn Ledbetter were also clutch in the victory by scoring 12 points a piece.
Bushland’s Berklee Billington did all she could, posting a team-high 22 points in the loss.
Frenship, Monterey and Liberty all fall
Shallowater will be the only team on the South Plains still standing after Friday’s regional championships.
Frenship, Lubbock Monterey and Lubbock-Cooper Liberty all fell in defeat during its respective regional title games.
Frenship saw a tremendous playoff run come to an end at the hands of Denton Braswell 63-40 in the UIL Region I-6A Division II championship. The Lady Tigers end the season at 30-9.
Lubbock Monterey will not repeat as UIL Class 5A Division II champions. Argyle upended the Lady Plainsman in a thrilling Region I-5A Division II championship game, 59-54, in overtime. Monterey ends its season at 26-11.
Lubbock-Cooper Liberty saw its season come to an end for the second year in a row by the hands of Brock. The Lady Eagles were able to fend off the Lady Patriots by a 37-29 count in the Class 4A Division II regional championship Friday. Liberty sees its season end at 30-5.
