Terry Cookston
CNHI
ALLEN — Frisco Wakeland ended Rockwall's hopes for a Class 4A Regional Quarterfinal championship on Tuesday with a 55-51 defeat of the Lady Jackets at Allen High School gymnasium to oust the 4A Bi-District and Area champions from post-season play.
Wakeland broke open a 51-51 deadlock with 17 seconds left when 6-0 forward Jackie Patterson nailed two free throws to give the Lady Wolverines a 2-point lead.
Rockwall's attempt to get the ball in the hands of all-state guard and all-time RHS scoring leader Peyton Adamson was thwarted by a steal and a layup by junior guard Haley Texada to seal the victory and give the regional quarterfinal title to Wakeland.
The Lady Wolverines speed and athleticism created numerous ball-handling and passing problems for Rockwall, but make no mistake about it the Lady Jackets could still have put this game in the win column.
RHS closed a 42-37 third-period gap to two points when Adamson drained three free throws to open the fourth quarter. Alyssa Lang then gave the ladies a 45-44 lead with 4:29 on the clock with a 2-point bucket plus foul shot. Adamson extended the lead to four on a 3-pointer with 3:52 left and gave Rockwall down-the-stretch momentum.
But, a couple more RHS miscues allowed Wakeland to break that momentum and tie the score at 50-50 before Kayla Smith hit the back end of two free throws to give Rockwall a 1-point lead with just over two minutes remaining. Another Rockwall bad pass to a wide-open player under the basket gave the Lady Wolverines another chance to tie the score at 51-51 and then take the lead on two free throws with 17 seconds left.
And the rest belonged to Wakeland.
Adamson closed out her brilliant high school career with 25 points, including four 3-pointers. She also finished the season as the Metroplex-area scoring leader (28.8 ppg) and 3-point shooting leader with 140 plus (4.1 avg.).
Lang finished with 10 points, Vertashia Dean put up nine, Caitlin White added four and Smith three in the hard-fought loss.
The Lady Jackets had little problem winning the 4A Area Championship last Friday at Garland Lakeview Centennial with a 67-38 victory over Dallas Samuell.
Adamson led the way with 35 points, including five 3-pointers, and Lang knocked down a double-double with 18 points and 16 rebounds.
Rockwall ends its season with a 33-5 record, a District 10-4A championship (14-0), a Class 4A bi-district championship and a 4A area championship.
Wakeland improves to 27-6 and advances to the Class 4A regional tournament this weekend at the Garland Special Events Center.
Class 4A Regional Quarterfinal
Rockwall 14 11 12 14 - 51
Fr. Wakeland 16 13 13 13 - 55
ROCK: Peyton Adamson 25, Alyssa Lang 10, Vertashia Dean 9, Caitlin White 4, Kayla Smith 3.
WAKE: Haley Texada 22, Jackie Patterson 14, Kindell Texada 12, Jasmine Patterson 6, Faith Hunt 1.
Class 4A Area Championship
Rockwall 18 8 22 19 - 67
Samuell 8 9 11 10 - 38
ROCK: Peyton Adamson 35, Alyssa Lang 18, Aimee Coleman 7, Kayla Smith 3, Vertashia Dean 2, Bre Castille 2.
SAM: Kelsey Criner 14, Raqualla McAdams 12, Katora Criner 4, Ashley Williams 4, Sarenatee Estelle 2, Chelsea Griggs 2.
