ECMS takes on George

El Campo Middle School's basketball teams took on the George Junior High Gators and Lady Gators this past week and battled through some tough games.

The eighth grade boys teams both lost Dec. 18 while the seventh and eighth-grade girls teams were both victorious Dec. 17.

8th Grade Girls Red

The Lady 'Birds moved to 2-5 on the season after a 37-20 win over the Lady Gators.

Lexus Pleasant led El Campo in scoring with 11 points while Ja'vonna George scored 10, Breana Johnson and Shavonne Shorter both scored 7 and Aubrey Garcia scored 2 points.

El Campo can credit strong defense in the win. The team combined for 31 steals on the night.

George led the Lady 'Birds with 10 steals while Pleasant and Shorter both had 7, Cathy

Villalobos had 4, Johnson had 2 and Garcia had 1 steal.

8th Grade Girls White

The Lady Gators proved to be no problem for El Campo's strong rebounding game. The Lady 'Birds muscled through George with 23 rebounds to push for a 29-17 win.

Meredith Jeane led El Campo in scoring with 10 points while Sabrina Vallejo scored 7 and Chelsey Nemec, Graceila Trejo and Ashley Contreras each scored 4 points.

Jeane pulled down a teamhigh 8 rebounds. Cara Martin had 3 rebounds on the night,

Katelyn Wood, Vallejo, Nemec, Contreras and Trejo each had 2 and Julia Ontiveros and Annaliza Martinez both had 1 rebound.

7th Grade Girls Red

El Campo held the Lady Gators to single digits in all four quarters to finish with a 35-9 win over George.

Khadijah Martin led the Lady 'Birds with 14 points while Janerica Cunningham scored 10, Ebonee Robinson scored 8, Laroysha Robinson scored 2 and Katie Wiesner scored 1 point.

The Lady 'Birds defense came together and forced 37 total steals with Martin leading the way with 12. Malikka Sanford made 11 steals, L. Robinson made 4, Wiesner and Cunningham both made 3, E. Robinson made 2 and Alexia Pratt and Karleigh Krpec both made 1 steal.

7th Grade Girls White

A great second-half comeback pushed El Campo to a 19- 18 win and a 2-2 record on the season.

The Lady 'Birds were behind 12-8 at halftime, but outscored George 11-6 to take a win over the Lady 'Gators.

Bethany Bunge scored a team-high 6 points, Shannequa McClain and Shelby Wiesner both scored 4 and Alexis Flores and Danielle Lara both scored 2 points.

8th Grade Boys Red

El Campo led 7-6 at the end of the first quarter, but the Gators came back to outscore the Ricebirds in each of the following three quarters for a 32-21 win. DeAndre Pratt led El Campo with 7 points while Eric Williams scored 4, Josh Bishop and Cullen Schoener both scored 3 and Castrong Richardson and Chris Espinoza both scored 2 points.

Pratt also pulled down a team-high 6 rebounds. Devontay Allen grabbed 3 rebounds, Brian Sparks made 2 and Espinoza had 1 rebound.

8th Grade Boys White

The Ricebirds pushed George in the fourth quarter to outscore the Gators 11-6, but it was not enough to complete a comeback. El Campo fell 29- 20 despite a great effort as time expired.

Anthony Aguilar led El Campo with 9 points, Kurtis Krejci scored 3, Anthony Cruz and Datrel North both scored 2 and Camden Green, Brandon Shelton, Quinton Kubala and Ryan Reyna each scored 1 point. EC ladies blast by Sandies

Before going on a short holiday break, the Lady 'Birds moved to 13-2 on the season by burying the Calhoun Sandies Dec. 18.

El Campo's varsity girls basketball team has been pushing through the pre-district portion of the season with several wins and enjoying solid team play, especially on defense.

The Lady 'Birds used a quick attack against Calhoun to force 25 turnovers on the night and end with a 55-26 victory.

By the end of the first quarter, it was clear El Campo would win. The Lady 'Birds spread the ball around and five different girls contributed to the team scoring to take a 15-6 lead over the Sandies.

By halftime, El Campo had a 29-12 lead.

Ashley Thomas led the Lady 'Birds in scoring through the next two quarters with 7 points and helped El Campo to a 55-26 final score.

A key to the Lady 'Birds' success this season has been their strong rebounding game.

Against the Sandies, El Campo came away with 39 total rebounds and took advantage of several second-chance baskets.

After the Calhoun win, the Lady 'Birds hosted Needville Friday. The ladies will take a short break over the next few nights and resume play Dec. 27 in the St. Joseph tournament.

Once the tournament is complete, the Lady 'Birds will return home to host Boling Jan. 3 in their last game before district competition begins.

El Campo will open district play Jan. 4 by hosting Seven Lakes.