IOWA COLONY – In a dramatic finish, Sophia Rodriguez hit a game-winning three-pointer with just 28 seconds left on the clock to propel the La Porte Lady Bulldogs to a thrilling 32-30 victory over Iowa Colony in a crucial 20-5A girls’ basketball showdown on Friday night.

Rodriguez’s clutch shot not only secured the win but also clinched the district championship for La Porte, denying the playoff-bound Lady Pioneers (20-12 overall, 9-2 district) their chance at a second consecutive league title. Despite the loss, Iowa Colony will enter the postseason as the second seed in 20-5A.

Game Recap: A Tale of Two Halves

First Half Struggles for Iowa Colony

The game began with promise for Iowa Colony as they jumped out to an early 6-0 run. However, offensive struggles soon followed, with the Lady Pioneers trailing 9-6 after the first quarter and 16-12 at halftime.

Third Quarter Comeback

Much like their recent comeback win against Santa Fe, Iowa Colony found their rhythm in the third quarter, outscoring La Porte 14-2.

• Kenadie Francis sparked the rally with a three-point play.
• Payton Watson followed up with a strong drive to the basket, giving Iowa Colony a 17-16 lead.
• Charlize Lagard then knocked down a key three-pointer, extending the lead to 22-16 with 5:12 remaining in the third quarter.

Fourth Quarter Collapse

Despite entering the final quarter with a comfortable 28-18 lead, Iowa Colony faced major setbacks:

• Kenadie Francis fouled out, followed shortly by Eryn Roberts and Payton Watson, both reaching their fifth fouls.
• With three key starters out, La Porte capitalized, holding Iowa Colony to just one field goal in the fourth, scored by Aaliyah Rogers.

Rodriguez’s late three-pointer gave La Porte the lead, and a crucial turnover forced by the Lady Bulldogs sealed Iowa Colony’s fate. Esme Soto added a free throw in the final seconds to secure the victory.

What’s Next?

• Iowa Colony will close out the regular season on the road against Friendswood on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Despite the loss, they head into the playoffs as the district’s second seed.
• La Porte heads into the postseason as the newly crowned 20-5A district champions, riding high on their momentum.

Other Area Basketball Highlights

Manvel Lady Mavericks Dominate Alvin

The Manvel Lady Mavericks cruised to a 71-34 victory over Alvin on Saturday. Now sitting at 26-8 overall (12-4 in district play), the Lady Mavs hold the third playoff seed in 22-6A.

Manvel Boys Roll Past Alvin, Edge Out Sam Rayburn in Double OT

Big Win Over Alvin

The Manvel boys dominated Alvin with a 63-35 win, fueled by a 15-4 second-quarter run.

• Pierce Moore and Maverick Curl-Okafor led the way with 14 points each.
• Byron Green contributed 13 points, showcasing Manvel’s balanced offensive attack.

Thrilling Double Overtime Victory Over Sam Rayburn

In an intense game against Sam Rayburn on January 29, Manvel secured a 67-60 double-overtime victory:

• Byron Green was the standout performer, dropping 20 points.
• Ryan Doria added 16 points, while Curl-Okafor chipped in with 15 points.
• Manvel outscored Rayburn 17-12 in the fourth quarter to force overtime, then held them scoreless 7-0 in the second overtime to seal the win.

Iowa Colony Boys Fall to La Porte

The Iowa Colony boys’ team suffered a tough 62-58 loss to La Porte on Friday, dropping them into a second-place tie with the Bulldogs in the 20-5A standings. They’ll face league-leading Friendswood on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in a pivotal matchup.

Shadow Creek Eyes 22-6A Crown

State-ranked Shadow Creek (26-2 overall, 13-0 district) is one win away from securing the 22-6A district championship. They’ll face Pearland on Tuesday at 7 p.m., with the title on the line.

This week’s high school basketball action was filled with excitement, comebacks, and clutch performances. As the regular season winds down, teams like La Porte and Manvel are gaining momentum, while others like Iowa Colony are looking to bounce back in the postseason. The final stretch promises even more thrilling games as teams fight for playoff positioning.

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