Lady Dogs fall to San Saba to end playoff run
The No. 15 Thorndale Lady Dogs saw their season come to an end on Tuesday night with a 47-23 lost to No. 7 San Saba in the regional quarterfinals held at Belton High School. Thorndale finishes the season with a 27-4 overall record, and were district, bi-district and area champions. San Saba moves on to the Class 2A Region IV tournament to be held at San Marcos High School on Friday and Saturday. The Lady Dillos will face Flatonia in one semifinal, with Mason and Shiner facing off in the other semifinals. The two winners will play on Saturday for a trip to the UIL State Tournament at San Antonio’s Alamodome. Mason is the first place team from District 27-2A and San Saba was the runner-up. Flatonia won 29-2A and Shiner was the third place team. Against San Saba, Thorndale struggled with the Lady Dillos’ quick hands and aggressive full court press. The Lady Dogs committed at least 15 turnovers in the first half alone. San Saba jumped out to a 20-3 lead in the first quarter. Thorn-dale cut the lead to 29-11 at half. The Lady Dogs just couldn’t get on a roll and when they’d get a turnover and breakaway, the shots just would not fall. San Saba outscored Thorndale 19-11 in the second half. Elise Biar led the Lady Dogs effort with 11 points on the night. Jordyn Smith and Sierra Winkler recorded three points apiece. Ariana Anders and Madison Smith scored two points each and Ashley Pesl collected one. Elise Biar, Landry Laywell and Jordyn Smith played their last game in a Lady Dogs basketball uniform, as the three are the senior members of the squad. “They are a great group of seniors,” Lady Dogs head coach Bradley Dickerson said. “They’ve been great teammates and great to coach. They have been 54-9 in two seasons, 22-0 in district play and two district championships and two regional quarterfinal games.” To reach the regional quarterfinals, Thorndale came from behind to defeat Harper 39-33 on Friday at Marble Falls High School. The area round match saw the Lady Dogs up 19-15 at halftime, but the Lady Longhorns fought back to take a 24-23 lead with 2:40 left in the third period. Harper got into foul trouble late in the game, allowing Thorndale to collect on free throw to pull away for the win. Biar led all players with 12 points on the night. Jordyn Smith joined her in double digits with 10 points. Winkler and Madison Smith scored five points apiece, with Taylor adding three. Kiera Rash and Kelsey Kovar recorded two points each. Harper was the third place team from 27-2A. Thorndale was the only 25-2A team to make it past the first round of the postseason. This is the 17th consecutive postseason appearance for the Lady Dogs’ program under Coach Dickerson.