High School Basketball

Tigers historic run ends with loss to Pearland

By Tyler Tyre, Sports Editor
Posted 2/24/23

“This team, this run meant everything to all of us,” said senior forward Lyric Barr. “From the fist round of the playoffs to now, it was just an experience that I’ll never forget and that I loved so much. I love this team and we all gave everything we had. This season was special.”

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High School Basketball

Tigers historic run ends with loss to Pearland

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It’s been a historic year for Katy.

A regular season with only two losses, a district championship for the first time since 2019 and the programs first regional tournament were all huge accomplishments the Tigers made this season.

Katy had faced every challenge head on and in most cases came out on top, as a senior led group were able to accomplish a number of firsts for the program.

The Tigers came into Friday confident they could find a way to keep things going this season and pick up another win, and even though they were unable to do that, falling to Pearland 56-30 in the Class 6A Regional Semifinals, that doesn’t change how successful this year or this team was for the Tigers.

“This team, this run meant everything to all of us,” said senior forward Lyric Barr. “From the fist round of the playoffs to now, it was just an experience that I’ll never forget and that I loved so much. I love this team and we all gave everything we had. This season was special.”

Katy struggled with the Pearland press early, but two first quarter three-pointers from Ella Robinson kept the Tigers in things despite six turnovers, as Pearland led 12-9.

Katy worked to find anything in the second quarter, but the Pearland defense continued to suffocate them with a zone and the Oilers defense held the Tigers without a point the entire second half while going on a 13-0 run to go up 25-9.

“We struggled with making our first shots today and with Pearland’s size, we also struggled to get on the boards after that.” Said Katy head coach Shanna Marhofer. “We didn’t handle the ball well either, and all of Pearland’s secondary players stepped up tonight, you have to hand it to them, that’s a really good team.”

The Tigers though, didn’t stop fighting in the second half, they found their offensive rhythm, scoring 13 in the third quarter, but the Pearland offense was also potent and the Tigers still trailed by 19 heading into the fourth, where the Oilers were able to see out the game.

“I just told them in the locker room that this game doesn’t define them as people or as a team,” Marhofer said. “They did some incredible things this year that they should be proud of. The school and the community are proud of them and they should be proud of themselves. It’s the first time they’ve gotten here and they were so strong all season. They can keep their heads high and be proud that they got to this point.”

Katy will graduate eight seniors from a very senior dominant team, but will bring back two starters and bring in a number of talented newcomers next season. This group has given all of the underclassman something to strive to and gives them heights they will want to reach and surpass, while the seniors have passed on a legacy of success and hard work.

“It’s all about hard work and that’s what I just wanted to teach all of them,” Barr said “Always work hard, have fun while you’re out there and enjoy every second. You only have four years of high school, so go out there, make the most of it and don’t take it for granted.”

Class 6A Regional Semifinal

Pearland 56, Katy 30

Points: (K) Ella Robinson 12, Lyric Barr 6, Nyla Wold 5, Ashlynn Alexander 3, Brianna Nelson 2, Hailynn Obregon 2; (P) Paige Bonner 14, RyLee Grays 14, Janae Tucker 14, Nyah Hardy 7, La’Niah Thornton 6, Eliece Perry 2;

Halftime: Pearland 25-9; 3-Pointers: (K) Robinson 4, Barr, Alexander; (P) Tucker 2, Thornton 2; Records: Katy 32-3; Pearland: 34-3;

Katy ISD, Katy, Pearland, regional semifinals, playoffs, basketball, Lyric Barr