Stewart Johnson
This year’s Lady Dragon basketball team owes much of its explosiveness to a four-year veteran and a trio of underclassmen sisters.
Senior guard Camryn Tade, last year’s District 4-6A MVP, eclipsed 2,000 points for her four-year varsity career this season. The Lady Dragons’ leading scorer averaged 21.5 points per game and added 6.7 rebounds, placing her amongst the top scorers in North Texas. Sophomore guard Milania Jordan returns as a more consistent offensive threat, contributing 14.7 points and 3.7 rebounds per game.
Milania's freshmen sisters, Natalia and Gianna, have quickly become staples to head coach Robyn McCoart’s lineup. Natalia averages 8.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.3 steals, while Gianna adds 7.2 points, 4.0 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game.
Post players Taryn Barnes and Katah Gunter utilize their grit and tenacity together, averaging a combined 11 rebounds per game. Junior guard Caitlin Slowik comes off the bench with experience and poise to run the offense, while also providing an outside touch behind the arc (38%).
“I feel like we’re gelling and we’re finding the right people at the right times,” McCoart says. “Every game, we’re staying dialed in.”
SEASON UPDATE
Since taking over the Carroll girls basketball program, coach Robin McCoart’s teams have developed a reputation for feisty, relentless defenses. But an increase in offensive prowess this season has produced impressive results that has the team and its fans optimistic about the potential for a long playoff run.
“Lopsided” is the best way to describe the Lady Dragon victories, especially as they rolled through District 4-6A in dominant fashion. Carroll (28-3 entering the postseason) captured its second consecutive district title, winning 4-6A contests by a 39.5 average point differential.
“Usually it’s a five-point game and we’re scrapping and clawing,” McCoart says of typical games in past seasons. “Defense is always a theme, but this is the most offensive power I’ve ever had (from a team).”
The Lady Dragons (68.5 points per game) hung 89 points against Byron Nelson and 88 against Haltom in district play. A 51-47 win over Fossil Ridge was Carroll’s closest contest thus far in 4-6A.
The team learned from tough matchups early on. Tournament losses to Highland Park and McKinney North gave the Lady Dragons a 3-2 start to the season. Carroll followed that by winning 20 of its next 21, with a 55-50 loss to Mansfield Summit being its only defeat during that clip.
“They set an overall goal of going to state, and I respect it,” McCoart says. “I think we’re moving in the right direction.”