Story By Eli Sampson

The Plainview Lady Bears captured the 4A Area 16 championship with a dominant 69–29 victory over North Jackson, controlling the game from start to finish. This is the Lady Bears sixth area championship in a row. 

Both teams struggled offensively early in the first quarter, but Taegan Whitmire sparked Plainview with the game’s first five points, knocking down a corner three and converting two free throws. North Jackson responded with a pair of transition layups, but Plainview answered with a mix of layups and three-pointers fueled by strong defensive pressure. That surge pushed the Lady Bears’ lead to 12–4 and forced North Jackson to call a timeout. Plainview continued its momentum and closed the first quarter with a commanding 19–5 advantage.

Plainview maintained control throughout the opening four minutes of the second quarter. Despite missing a few shots, the Lady Bears held North Jackson scoreless during that stretch, building a 22–5 lead and forcing another North Jackson timeout. The Lady Chiefs were able to chip away with a couple of baskets late in the quarter, but Plainview’s defensive pressure and shot-making proved too much to overcome. The Lady Bears took a 32–13 lead into halftime. 

The two teams traded baskets early in the third quarter before Sawyer Kate Hulgan connected on a key three-pointer, prompting yet another North Jackson timeout. Plainview led 40–18 with six minutes remaining in the quarter. Relentless defensive pressure created additional turnovers, allowing the Lady Bears to extend their lead to 62–23 by the end of the third quarter.

Plainview controlled the remainder of the game in the fourth quarter, receiving quality minutes and additional three-point shooting from players off the bench. The Lady Bears sealed the Area 16 title with a 69–29 victory.

Sawyer Kate Hulgan led Plainview with 30 points and Taegan Whitmire scored 12 points.  

Plainview improved to 30-2 on the season and will now host Alexandria in the Northeast sub regional Friday night. 

The 4A Area 16 semifinal.

The Plainview Lady Bears began their quest Friday for a state championship with a 92-38 victory over the Madison County Lady Tigers in the 4A area 16 tournament.

Plainview led at the end of each quarter ( 28-6, 59-18, 80-32, 92-38). 

The Lady Bears hit a total of 14 three-pointers in the first half on their way to a 41-point halftime lead. Sawyer Kate Hulgan scored 21 points in the first half. Hulgan, Kloi Harding, Miley Dukes, Jaxon Bruce, Taegen Whitmire, Addy Henderson, Piper Anderson, Jersey Frost, Lily Currie, and Annalee Shrader all made threes in the game. 

Plainview extended its lead to 48 by the end of the third quarter, then to a 54-point lead in the final period. 

Hulgan led Plainview with 25 points, and Jaxon Bruce scored 15 points.