Swiftettes punch ticket to state

The Nazareth Swiftettes are headed for the Texas UIL State Basketball tournament at the Alamo Dome in San Antonio, and was earned by winning two tough games at the Regional tournament this past weekend, defeating Whiteface in the semifinals and Claude for the championship title.

The Swiftettes arrived at South Plains Texan Dome with varsity player Harley Gerber injured and on crutches, and Emerson Moore and Clementine Myrick brought up from the JV squad for the playoffs.

The last trip the Nazareth made to the state tournament in 2021, the team also beat Claude in the finals (54-42) and Whiteface (52-31) at Regionals. The team is coached by Eric Schilling and Whitney Bryan.

This will be the 31st trip to compete at the state contest for Swiftettes basketball. The Swiftettes (29-9) will face Neches (32-2) at 10 a.m. on Thursday. State 1A finals are on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. The state games are broadcast on the NFHS Network – nfhsnetwork.com.

Naz v Claude

The championship game against the Claude Lady Mustangs was anything but easy and the game displayed a fierce defense by both teams, but the Swiftettes prevailed in the final quarter, 26-24, to claim the title and ticket to state.

Swiftettes starters were Caroline Myrick, Tatum Peterson, Iris Schilderink, Brooklyn Dyer and Presley Wheeler.

The Swiftettes took the lead in the first quarter,11-2, but the Claude squad fought back and Nazareth was left trailing at half-time, 16-12.

Nazareth offense pulled off some shots in the third quarter and gained a single-point lead, 18-17, and the battle was on in the fourth quarter. The Swiftettes fought to hold onto to their narrow lead and finally prevailed with the win in the last minute of the contest.

Naz came in with seven of 23 field goals with one of eight three-pointers, 11 of 16 free throws, 21 rebounds, six assists, four steals and 13 fouls. Claude had eight of 30 field goals with two of six three pointers, six of nine free throws, 21 rebounds, seven assists, eight steals, one block and 17 fouls.

Top shooter for the Swiftettes was Brooklyn Dyer with 11 points, one offensive rebound, two defensive rebounds, one assist, one steal and one foul; followed by Presley Wheeler with six points, one offensive rebound, two defensive rebounds and two fouls; Tatum Peterson, four points, one offensive rebound, three defensive rebounds, one assist and one foul; Iris Schilderink, four points, one offensive rebound, two defensive rebounds, one steal and four fouls; and Chloe Birkenfeld, one point, one offensive and defensive rebound and one assist.

Caroline Myrick came in with one offensive rebound two defensive rebounds, two assists, one steal and four fouls; and Brooklyn Dyer, one defensive rebound, one assist, one steal and one foul.

Naz v Whiteface

The Nazareth Swiftettes came through with a Regional semifinals 47-39 victory against the Whiteface Lady Lopes on Friday, advancing them to the championship game.

Nazareth shot for 19 of 39 field goals with one of three three-pointers, eight of 19 free throws, collected 31 rebounds, 16 assists, eight steals, one block and 15 fouls.

Top shots for Nazareth were Brooklyn Birkenfeld with 19 points, one offensive and defensive rebound, one block and two fouls; and Iris Schilderink, 12 points, three offensive rebounds, three assists, three steals and one foul.

Contributing shooters were Presley Wheeler, six points, four defensive rebounds, five assists, one steal and four fouls; Tatum Peterson, five points, four defensive rebounds, five assists, one steals and four fouls; Cariline Myrick, three points, two offensive and defensive rebounds, three steals and three fouls; and Chloe Birkenfeld, two points, one offensive rebound, two assists, one steal and two fouls.

Brooklyn Dyer collected two offensive and defensive rebounds, two assists and three fouls; Riley Ramaeker, one offensive rebound, two defensive rebounds, and one assist.

The team advanced to play Claude on Saturday.