By LAMAR GAFFORD
TIOGA – The seniors of the Tioga girls basketball team had accomplished so much this season and had room for one more step Thursday.
They’ll aim to make the next stride tonight.
Making the playoffs for the first time since 2020 and hosting a home playoff game for the first time since 2011, the Lady Indians cruised past Bonnabel, 57-23, at The Reservation on Thursday night. It was the program’s first playoff win since 2006, when it made the Sweet Sixteen state tournament.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve been in this position,” Tioga coach Debbie Johnson said. “These kids worked hard. I’ve had all these kids starting as freshmen and we’ve made it through the COVID year and all the other years. This feels good right now.”
The Lady Indians wasted no time in exerting their dominance after jumping out to a 12-2 lead in the first quarter – only for the lead to continue to swell.
At halftime, Tioga (27-7) led 42-12 and the 35-point mandatory running clock soon followed early in the third quarter.
It was a fitting sendoff for the Lady Indians’ senior quartet of Ashton Nick, Abbi Troquille, Christina Lambert and Madison Lockwood, who combined to score 40 points in possibly their final home game at The Reservation. Nick led all players with 17 points, while Troquille added 11. Freshman Naomi Dishmond scored 10 points off the bench.
“This was really important to Coach Johnson, so that was a big part of us trying to do our best,” Troquille said. “We’ve been here for four years and have never gotten this far. This is our year to go as far as we can.”
Bonnabel (9-18) was led by junior Anaiah Perry’s 11 points in its first playoff appearance since 2021.
Tioga will travel to No. 8 seed St. Thomas More tonight in the Division I Select regionals.
NORTHWOOD (SHREVEPORT) 67, ASH 48: The Lady Trojans’ season ended at the hands of Northwood-Shreveport Thursday in the first round of the Division I Select playoffs. Hannah Mouton paced the Lady Falcons with 25 points, while Queen White added a double-double of 13 points and 20 rebounds. ASH’s season ends at