Stewart Johnson
Head coach Robyn McCoart has always preached hustle, defense and intensity. That focus is currently paying dividends with the quartet of Jordan sisters leading the way.
The Lady Dragons have showcased tenacity and speed on their way to a third straight district championship and a second consecutive undefeated run through the district season.
“I can put five people on the floor that can all pressure the basketball,” says McCoart, whose team is holding opponents to 42.2 points per game through its first 28 contests. “We're really big on getting in their face, getting in their line of vision. On this team, if you want to be out there, you have to pressure.”
McCoart has a team focused on holding down the opposition, as all four of the Jordan sisters and senior Taryn Barnes are committed to defense. Sophomore Gianna Jordan, who was named Defensive Player of the Year in District 4-6A last year, leads the way with 3.1 steals and 3.0 deflections per game. Gianna is third on the team with 5.1 rebounds per game.
Natalia Jordan, also a sophomore, averages 2.4 steals, as well as 5.7 rebounds per game to tie Barnes for the team lead. Freshman newcomer Nadia Jordan earned a starting spot with rebounding and defense strong enough to regularly earn the assignment of covering opponents’ top offensive weapon.
“They play really fast, and they are good under pressure,” McCoart says. “There’s a confidence across the board. They think fast, they play fast. They want to play at a high speed the whole game.”
That speed is displayed on offense as well, with players who attack and score inside and out. Junior Milania Jordan leads the Lady Dragons in scoring with a 17.5 points per game average. Gianna is next in line with 15.2 points and averaging a team-leading 4.1 assists, while Natalia adds another 10.2 points per contest and leads Carroll in three-pointers made with 43.
“No one outworks [Milania] in practice,” McCoart says of her scoring leader, who serves as a captain along with Barnes, junior Katah Gunter and senior power forward Lexi Schneider. Reserve players like freshman Whitney Jense, sophomore Jillian Hall and junior Kaitlyn Knaub — dangerous with the outside shot — all contribute to a Carroll offense that scores around 60 points per game.
The Lady Dragons have defeated a challenging team in McKinney North (ranked No. 8 in Class 5A by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches) at the Duncanville Hoopfest, suffered just one loss to San Antonio Brandeis (No. 25 in the 6A poll) at the Hays Hawk Classic, then went 2-2 at the Duncanville Sandra Meadows Classic in late December, defeating reigning 4A champ and current No. 2-ranked La Vega along the way.
Those tests had the Lady Dragons prepared for challenging district competition such as Fossil Ridge and Keller Timber Creek. McCoart says her team doesn’t take any matchup for granted in its quest for a lengthy playoff run.
“It doesn't matter the team, and if they're 0-5 in district or 4-1, we prepare the same way,” McCoart says. “I just think you always respect your opponents. That's what I tell them — treat every single time you step out on the floor, when you cross that line, like it's a playoff game.”
As reported on Feb. 15, 2024.