Following a strong slate of girls basketball games at the state championships a week ago, which included Panhandle claiming the program’s third state title and Nazareth continuing its dominance by securing its 27th state crown, the UIL announced its all tournament teams Monday — as selected by the Texas Girls Coaches Association.
To no one’s surprise, the Nazareth and Panhandle squads were well-represented, while Gruver also added a freshman to the team.
The Swiftettes placed three players on the Class 1A Division II squad — Kambri Cleavinger, Madison Brockman and Kate Brockman. Cleavinger led the Swiftettes with 14 points, while Madison Brockman added eight points, seven rebounds and six assists to help lead Nazareth to a 43-28 victory Thursday, March 5, inside the Alamodome in San Antonio. Cleavinger added four rebounds and three steals as she netted MVP honors in the title game. Kate Brockman ended with four rebounds, two assists and two steals.
The trio, along with their Nazareth teammates, held Saltillo to 11% shooting in the first half and three made field goals in the game’s first 20 minutes. That streak went into the game’s third quarter as the Swiftettes tallied another title and improved to 27-6 all-time in the state championship game.
Riley Segura led the way for Panhandle on the Class 2A Division II team, which defeated Mason 38-25 on Thursday, March 5. Segura claimed MVP honors after pouring in 19 points and recording eight rebounds and two blocked shots. Addison McCoid chipped in seven rebounds, two points, one assist and one steal.
It marked Panhandle’s first state title since 2017 and third overall.
Gruver’s Payton Merkel, a freshman standout, was named to the Class 2A Division II all-tournament squad. The 5-foot-8 spark plug helped guide the Lady Hounds to the Class 2A Division II state semifinal before falling to eventual state champion Lipan.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Nazareth, Panhandle girls basketball players net all-tournament honors
Reporting by Carlos Silva Jr., Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
