The Lady Panthers started the new year with a loss to the undefeated Austin Royals, but turned it around in their first district game with a decisive win over the Ingram Warriors.

On Tuesday, January 3, the ladies tangled with the 20-0 Royals, falling 57-69. The Panthers and Royals had previously played on December 13 with the Panthers losing by 24; with only a 12-point deficit this past week, the Blanco squad is improving weekly, having played a difficult pre-district schedule. Kayla Martinez and Leslie McClinton paced the Panthers, scoring 13 points each. Micaela Klein followed closely with 12. Justine Cooley scored eight, while Lindsey Jenkins added three, and Felicia Skillman, Payton Savarino, Reagan Rogers, and Lexee Jenkins each made two points.

The junior varsity girls grabbed a 12-point victory over the Royals, 42-30. Charlsey Smith led the scorers with 12 points. Maria Avila scored 11, while Abbie Culton added nine, Autumn Collins shot for three, and Megan Wier, Valerie Hesskew, and Jennifer Betancourt scored two each. Kari Graham dropped in a free throw to score one point.

On January 6 the varsity girls traveled to Ingram and overwhelmed the Warriors, winning 69-32. High point scorers were Cooley and McClinton with 11 points each, and Lindsey Jenkins and Susannah Campbell with ten points each. Rogers sank eight points, while Klein added six, Skillman scored five, and Savarino made four. Lexee Jenkins and Meagan Seales each scored two points.

The Panthers will travel to Junction and Comfort this week for more district clashes.