BOUND FOR GLORY

By clinching second in District 17-3A, Clifton Lady Cubs clinch back-to-back trips to postseason; aiming for first playoff win since 2011 vs. Keene in Rio Vista Monday

With an open date in the schedule on the final day of the 2024-25 Texas high school girls basketball regular season, the Clifton Lady Cubs got a chance to celebrate qualifying for their second straight trip to the postseason. And after snapping a decade-long drought with their first playoff appearance since 2013 last season, the Lady Cubs began taking aim at winning their first postseason matchup since 2011.

By sweeping through the second round of District 17-3A competition, the Lady Cubs (6-2 in district, 16-11 overall) clinched second place behind the league champion West Lady Trojans (7-1, 16-14) and will carry a five-game winning streak into the postseason.

West clinched the district title with a convincing 60-24 win at home against the Whitney Lady Wildcats (0-8, 3-22) Tuesday night, while the Troy Trojans (4-4, 15-14) won the head-to-head battle for third place with a 34-31 victory over the McGregor Lady Bulldogs (3-5, 11-13).

“Being able to sweep the second half of district play and finish on a five-game winning streak is a perfect way to head into the playoffs,” Clifton girls basketball head coach Mario Villalpando said. “Our goal has always been to get back to the playoffs. And to accomplish that goal is a testament to the hard work the girls have put in. Now, the goal is to win the playoff game, which has not been done by a Clifton girls team since 2011.”

Looking for the first postseason win in 14 seasons, the Lady Cubs will take on a familiar foe, the former district counterpart Keene Lady Chargers (8-4 in district, 21-12 overall) in a Class 3A, Division II Bi-District Playoff matchup at 7 p.m. Monday in Rio Vista. The Lady Chargers finished third in District 18-3A behind the 10th-ranked district champion Grandview Lady Zebras (12-0, 31-3), and Keene won the District 17-3A title last season.

Having won nine of their last 11 games, the Lady Cubs certainly have momentum on their side heading into the playoffs. And Clifton went into its final two regular season games with a trip to the postseason already secured.

Led by senior Camy Barsh with a game-high 13 points, eight rebounds and four steals, the Lady Cubs celebrated Senior Night by clinching at least a tie for second place with a hard-fought 33-27 victory over playoff-bound Troy at home last Tuesday evening to avenge a two-point loss to the Lady Trojans in the first round of district.

Senior Avary Woosley tossed in seven points, pulled down seven rebounds and grabbed three steals, junior Addison Martin scored seven points with two steals, while sophomore Brystel Wise added another five points with eight rebounds.

“After the way the Troy game finished the first time in district play, it was great to get the victory over them this past week,” Villalpando said. “The team executed everything we had worked on leading up to the game. It was a special night getting to honor our seniors, and being able to win their last game on their home court was great to witness.”

Then in a head-to-head battle for second place on the road last Friday night, the Lady Cubs remained in the hunt for a share of the district title with a convincing 34-25 victory over McGregor.

Woosley led Clifton with 12 points along with six rebounds and three steals, while sophomore Natalia Gaona and Martin tossed in eight points apiece. Gaona led the Lady Cubs with nine rebounds, while Barsh tossed in four points, pulled down three rebounds and grabbed three steals.

“Friday against McGregor, I was pleased with how the team handled the road environment,” Villalpando said. “Winning on the road is never easy. But the team battled the entire game and secured the victory.”

Playing their best basketball of the season down the second round stretch, the Lady Cubs earned a return trip to the playoffs with key back-to-back District 17-3A victories.

With Martin hitting the game-winning three-point shot at the final buzzer, the Lady Cubs rallied to knock the West Lady Trojans from the ranks of the undefeated with a thrilling 35-32 victory on the road. Then as an encore, Clifton crushed the Whitney Lady Wildcats, 53-19, on the road to clinch their second straight postseason berth.

“I could not have asked for a better way to open up the second half of district play with two road victories over West and Whitney,” Villalpando said. “One key to the West victory was on the offensive end. West held us to a season low in points the first game that we played them in district. The team did a great job handling their defensive pressure this time around.

In the win over West, Woosley led the Lady Cubs with 15 points, followed by Martin with 12 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Gaona pulled down a team-high eight rebounds and grabbed three steals, while Barsh dished out a team-high five assists.

“The team kept their composure throughout the entire game,” Villalpando said. “And the ending definitely showed that. Addison Martin hit the game winning shot as the final buzzer went off.”

In the dominating win over Whitney, Martin led the Lady Cubs with 15 points, followed by Gaona with 13 points and five rebounds. Senior Delilah Martinez pulled down a team-high six rebounds, while Barsh and Woosley accounted for two assists and three steals each.

“After Tuesday’s thrilling game, the team carried that momentum into the Whitney game,” Villalpando said. “The team played great team defense, and created many extra opportunities for the offense with their steals. With the two victories last week, the team clinched their spot in the playoffs for the second year in a row.”