Texas High School Girls 6A Basketball Regional Finals – Round 5

The big anticipated match-up in Region 3 6A girls basketball was the Pearland Lady Oilers vs the Summer Creek Lady Bulldogs. Both are powerhouses when it comes to girls basketball in the greater Houston area. Pearland entered this game with a 28-10 record and No. 2 state-ranked Summer Creek with a 38-2. The playoffs was not a new scene for Summer Creek who has punched the ticket to the State Tournament before and this experience alone would play to be the biggest feat for Pearland who had not been to the Regional final four since 1991.

The lady bulldogs started out somewhat sluggish and slow in this game, Pearland 10 Summer Creek 6 in the 1st Quarter, but if its one thing about this lady bulldogs team that I love is that when they wake up you’re in for an exciting ride on the basketball court.

Pearland attempted to slow the pace of the game and got to the Free-throw line 30 times to Summer Creek’s 17 but wasn’t able to make but half. They played very physical and at one point was really dominating the game. The game was close throughout thanks to senior forward Aryelle Stevens and junior forward Rylee Grays.

Half-time its tied at 20 mainly due to 2024 G Janiya Murphy. She changed the momentum for Summer creek , getting quick steals, and hitting open shots. Pace control from the guards and dominating the boards would be essential and the key elements for this game. 2022 F Aryelle Stevens with Pearland was leading with 5rebs at this point in the game. She ended with 15 points, 12 rebounds. She and Junior guard Rylee Grays were taking over in the interior until the beginning of the 4th Quarter. Rylee ended with 19 points.

End of 3rd Quarter Pearland 32-37 Summer creek. The depth of Summer Creek was unmatched and proved to be a difference maker when it came down to new energy on the court when it was necessary as their super star and leading scorer, senior forward Kaitlyn Duhon, got into a little foul trouble. The reserve guards applied the pressure on Pearland from the jump causing turnovers, creating steals and finishing big buckets. Eventually Pearland was just worn down by the relentless, tenacious defense of Summer Creek.

2022 5-6 G Viveon Pierre is a heck of a defender, for Summer Creek. She came in to hold down Rylee Grays, which is a super tough task in itself, and she hit a clutch 3 point shot that added to the lady bulldogs slipping away for a victory.

Final score Pearland 42 – 59 Summer creek . Senior Forward and Auburn Women’s Basketball commit kaitlyn Duhon took the horns by the head to her basketball career and led this team all season. She ended with 20 pts, 9rebs & numerous of intangibles effort, kept her head! Locked in and Summer Creek takes down the Pearland Lady Oilers to make their way back to the UIL Girls Basketball State Tournament.

2024 5-7 G Janiya Murphy was a game changer, she single handedly shifted the momentum in the 2nd Quarter, an unbelievable stand out in a championship game‼️ She ended with 10pts

2024 5-4 G Torran Deterville contributed some huge moments that helped secure the bag, including a major 3 point knock down. She created a steal, pushed the ball up court, made a crafty Magic Johnson pass-into a 2pt. execution finish. A perfect play forward. She also ended with 10pts, 8 of those came in the 4th Quarter. Her points pushed them into a double figure lead.

2023 6-2 P Joryn Ross really complimented her guard squad this game, she grabbed some much needed rebounds, ended up with 3 and 6 points. Her presence inside is highly important for this team.

Overall it was a great team effort, full out contributions were needed and everyone stepped it up, the lady bulldogs were unleashed and once the momentum played in their favor it was lights out for Pearland. Coach Carlesa Dixon has proven herself to be a champion coach and leader. State tournaments aren’t new to her, this is their 2nd trip which shows she definitely knows how to win. She and her lady bulldogs will take on South Grand Prairie Friday at 7pm.