PARIS, Texas-Worst case scenario, tonight's Class 5A bi-district playoff game between Texas High and Wylie East will be a learning experience for the Lady Tigers.
The two teams clash at 7 p.m. in the Paris High School gymnasium.
Wylie East beat Highland Park last week to capture a share of the District 15-5A championship and the right to play the Tigers. THS placed fourth in 16-5A.
The winner of this game advances to the area round to face Wakeland or Prosper.
"I haven't seen Wylie East in person, but I have seen them on film," THS coach Craig Collvins said. "They're sort of like us. They're athletic and like to man press, doing stuff Kentucky and Memphis used to do. They like to get the ball to the rim, and they've got a pretty good post player.
"Any playoff experience will be good for all our sophomores and freshmen. Last year we were starting mostly freshmen and got to play Lufkin in bi-district."
That post player is 5-9 senior Shelli Thigpen. The Lady Raiders have only three seniors on their roster, but that may be three more than Texas High (14-14).
Senior Grace Brooks didn't play last week because of an injury and may not be available for this game. If she doesn't play Collvins will likely be starting five sophomores.
"The two teams are similar as far as size," Collvins said. "The big thing for us is to eliminate the turnovers against the pressure, and we've got to be able to put the ball in the hole. If we do those two things and rebound, I think we'll have a chance.
"We'll probably throw out the kitchen sink as far as what we do defensively. We'll try to press them, and half-court trap them."
The Tigers' tentative starters include 5-6 Vicki Willis, 5-8 Antonia Porter, 5-9 Unique McBride, 5-1 Mia Wilson and 5-2 Kiasyia Morrison.
THS has a deep bench with 5-10 Amiyah Rone, 5-5 Blaire Bledsoe and 6-0 Maranda Miller. Freshmen expected to see some action are 5-8 Asia Lloyd and 5-7 Kerrighan Dunn.
The game will be broadcasted by local radio station KTXK, 91.5 FM.