HIgh school roundup: South Houston girls forging ahead

Much like Dobie did last season, South Houston has proven it can play well without a key starter.

After losing junior guard Ashley Adams before Thanksgiving, the Lady Trojans went on to win several games in December.

But after stumbling at the Alvin Noon Lions Holiday Classic, they have to prove they can do it again in district. The Lady Trojans open 22-5A play against defending district champion Dobie on Friday.

"Dobie's always very, very good, very athletic, well-coached," fourth-year South Houston coach Angella Gencarelle said. "There's not going to be any easy ones, for sure, but especially against Dobie."

The Lady Trojans split their pool-play games at the Alvin tourney, beating Chavez and falling to Dawson, sending them to the silver bracket, where they lost 45-37 to La Porte in the semifinals.

Then they ended the tourney with a loss to Victoria West in the silver third-place game.

"Coming off the Christmas break I was just pleased that we were able to get into a (third-place) game," Gencarelle said.

South Houston left Alvin 9-10 overall — a record that might be better if Adams was still around. The physical 5-foot-9 player left the team for personal reasons and most likely won't return.

Adams was one of the team's top scorers, along with forward Akira Decoud, before she went out.

"She's been a varsity starter since her freshman year," Gencarelle said. "So it's pretty big loss, especially at the guard spot since we're getting two guards back, the two twins (Jannette Yanez and Bianca Yanez).

"They're both playing now, it's just coming off an ACL (injury), the first season's always a little bit shaky for kids like that, trying to get their confidence back and feel stable.

"So to lose a guard at this stage is not something I would have hoped for."

The Yanez sisters both tore ACLs before this season. Jannette's steadily been working her way back since the opener, but Bianca just made her return during the Alvin tournament.

"(Bianca) did a really good job, first game had 10 points, so we're hoping that the more she plays - and both of (the twins) really, not just her - the more confidence she gets," Gencarelle said.

The starting lineup now looks like this: Decoud, F Dominique Davis, centers Knysa Fontenette and Brianna Butler, a 6-foot junior, and G Jasmine Lopez.

Gencarelle said the key against Dobie will be taking care of the ball and controlling the pace of the game. If the Lady Trojans can do that and get a victory, they'll be in good shape going forward.

"It's very important because I really, really think that in our district this year we're all fairly evenly matched, enough so that I don't think there's one over dominant favorite, so to speak," Gencarelle said.

"I really think that anybody can beat anybody at any time this year."

Ump Association needs help

The Pasadena Baseball Umpires Association is seeking individuals who are interested in officiating baseball for the upcoming 2011 season.

For more information, call David Kent on his cell phone at 832-859-9462 or at home at 281-479-7319.

Senior Bowl on horizon

The 11th Annual Blue Chip Senior Bowl is slated for 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011, at Delmar Stadium.

The game was moved from the first week in June to January this school year to coincide with the college recruiting and football seasons.

General admission is $10 for adults. Children 10 and under get in free.