8A: The BMS Girls 8A basketball team faced one of their toughest opponents of the season this week for their first game. The girls showed tremendous grit, heart, and determination from start to finish and refused to give up. Ava Baggett set the tone on defense, staying locked in and never backing down against players with size and speed. Her energy sparked the team, and she capped off her strong performance with a tough bucket that fired up the bench. Soley Torres showed incredible positivity throughout the game. No matter the circumstances, she encouraged her teammates, hustled on every play, and battled with toughness that did not waver, even when the game got physical. Alivia Martinez embodied effort the entire time she was on the court. She refused to quit and gave her team everything she had. Her relentless work ethic showed what it means to compete with pride. Although the matchup was demanding, it gave the girls valuable experience playing at a high level.This is an experience that will make them a stronger team moving forward. 8B: The Belton Middle School 8B Basketball team faced a fierce rival this week against North Belton Middle School in an intensely physical and demanding contest. Though the final score resulted in a loss, the Lady Tigers exhibited tremendous heart and determination, proving that they are ready to learn and grow from this challenging experience. The coaches were incredibly proud of the toughness and effort of all the players and should feel proud of their performance on the court. Several Lady Tigers stood out for their execution and leadership. Kylie Cappella was an all-around powerhouse for the team. She excelled on both ends of the court, consistently getting the ball, finding opportunities to get open, and playing defense like a true champion. Her consistent effort made a major impact on the flow of the game. Ava Boeselt served as the offensive leader, taking charge of running the offense, calling plays, and guiding her teammates into position. Her command and court vision were vital to the team's ability to execute under pressure. Jaliza Anderson showed incredible versatility throughout the matchup. She demonstrated her ability to adapt to any situation, playing wherever she was asked and adjusting to plays as necessary, and she put a point on the board from the free-throw line, reflecting her focus when it mattered most. Playing a difficult, high-intensity game against a strong opponent like North Belton provides the most valuable learning experience. The players fought hard until the final buzzer, and the lessons learned from this challenging contest will be directly applied to their future preparation. The 8B Lady Tigers are focused on improvement and are ready to put in the work required to bounce back in their next outing! 7A: 7B: The BMS Lady Tigers delivered an electrifying performance in their matchup against North Belton, securing a well-earned victory that showcased just how much talent, teamwork, and intensity this squad brings to the court. From the opening whistle to the final buzzer, the Tigers controlled the pace, out-hustled their opponents, and put on one of their most complete games of the season. In the paint, Jaidenise Brown was nothing short of phenomenal. Her rebounding presence completely shifted the momentum of the game; she ripped down boards on both ends, created second-chance opportunities, and shut down North Belton’s attempts at gaining any interior rhythm. Every possession seemed to run through her ability to dominate the glass. On the perimeter, Gwyneth Taylor and Ava Smith kept the energy sky-high. Both players turned defense into offense with impressive speed, pushing the ball up the court in transition and constantly keeping pressure on North Belton’s backpedaling defense. Their hustle created fast-break chances, opened up scoring opportunities, and injected the team with nonstop momentum. Defensively, Ourania Guardiola set the tone with one of her strongest performances yet. She played with sharp instincts, quick footwork, and a relentless determination to keep North Belton from getting comfortable. Every loose ball, every passing lane, every drive Ourania was there to disrupt it, frustrate it, or stop it altogether. Her defensive energy became a spark that the whole team fed off. On the scoring end, Emma Alvarez delivered a standout showing. Her jump shots fell with confidence, her layups were clean and smooth, and she provided consistent offense whenever the Tigers needed a boost. Emma’s ability to read the floor and make smart scoring decisions helped the Tigers build and maintain their lead. Running the offense with poise, Alivia Flores served as the floor general the Tigers needed. She directed plays, communicated effectively, and constantly created chaos for North Belton with her timely steals. Her leadership kept the team organized, focused, and aggressive on both ends exactly the kind of command that fuels strong team victories. From defense to fast breaks, from rebounding to ball movement, the Lady Tigers played with confidence and unity. This win wasn’t just about skill, it was about heart, chemistry, and the unwavering drive to compete at a high level. The BMS Lady Tigers walked off the court victorious and proud, proving once again that when they lock in and work together, they are a team that’s tough to beat. With performances like this, the future of the season looks incredibly bright.