Memorial girls basketball back in playoffs

[KFDM COOP]

Memorial girls basketball back in playoffs

Joseph Fonteneaux always believed his team had what it took to make the playoffs. His prediction turned out to be true.

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After a three-year drought, the Memorial girls basketball team finally did what it had been threatening to do for quite some time.

Memorial plays North Shore at 7 p.m. today in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs at Barbers Hill High School.

"It feels good to be back in the playoffs," said Fonteneaux. "I always felt we had a good enough team when we didn't make it, so it feels great to finally be here. The girls have practiced and played hard for this opportunity, and they don't want to blow it."

Memorial (20-14) and Kingwood (18-14) finished the District 21-5A season tied for second place at 11-3. Humble (21-10) was the district champions with a 13-1 record.

"I think going 10-3 in this district is an accomplishment," Fonteneaux said. "This is the first time in school history we have even won 10 district games in Class 5A. We have definitely accomplished a lot this season."

Memorial is coming off of a 47-43 overtime loss to Kingwood Friday night. It was a district playoff game to determine the No. 2 and 3 playoffs seeds.

The Titans outscored Kingwood 17-11 in the fourth quarter to force overtime, but the Mustangs went on a 6-2 run in the extra period to win the game.

Treasure Eddie was the leading scorer for the Titans with 17 points. Amber Kinlaw, who hit four 3-pointers in the second half, ended the night with 12 points.

"It was a tough game," Fonteneaux said. "We played Kingwood three times before, so we know each other like the back of our hands."

It was the fourth time the schools played this season.

The Titans entered Friday's contest having beaten Kingwood two out of three games this season. The Titans, who beat Kingwood in a tournament game earlier this season, won 62-60 in the first district meeting, while the Mustangs won 36-27 in the second district meeting.

"We wanted to get the No. 2 playoff spot, but we will have to settle for the third seed," Fonteneaux said. "We still finished in second place in district, and we made it to the playoffs so that's all that matters."

Fonteneaux will look to Eddie, Amber Kinlaw and Brittany Kinlaw to help lead the Titans to the second round of the playoffs.

Eddie, a senior guard, is the team's offensive perimeter shooter. Senior forward Brittany Kinlaw controls the inside, while junior guard Amber Kinlaw has stepped up offensively and become a major threat.

"Britany's presence inside means the other players get shots they wouldn't get when she's not in the game," Fonteneaux said. "We look to Treasure to score because she is our best shooter.

"Amber Kinlaw has also really stepped up for us offensively. Everybody else feeds off of these players. I think as a whole we have the team to go far in the playoffs."

[Lady_Titan21]

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