This week's conference matchups consisted of two hard working teams. On Wednesday, we took on Jacksonville. Jacksonville was lengthy and athletic. Although the Fillies led the whole game, Jacksonville kept it interesting. The first quarter of the game was all the Fillies. Getting stops and putting up points led to a 19-12 lead by the end of the quarter. Second quarter of play was much of the same tune. The Fillies out scored Jacksonville in the second as well. Although they were able to score the first 2 points of the quarter, the momentum was in favor of the Fillies. Going into halftime, the score was 32-22, and the Fillies had a comfortable 10 point lead. After the half, Jacksonville came out with something to prove. Jacksonville outscored the Fillies in third 16-10. This push of offense brought them within 2 points of the Fillies multiple times, but the score at the end of the quarter was 42-38. During the fourth quarter of play the Fillies went up by 6, but Jacksonville was not backing down. As the quarter progressed, the game ended up being tied at 46. From 7:45 to 4:19 of play, the Fillies were scoreless until a free throw by #13- Tijanae Abbott. This was all the Fillies needed to press on to victory. For the last 4 min and 19 sec of the game Jacksonville was held scoreless. Field goals from #10- Sharayah Johnson and #11- Avery Young, along with some free throws from multiple Fillies led the team to victory. 

Saturday's contest was against the reigning National champions who going into the match up, the Fillies were tied at 3rd place in the conference rankings. Although the Lady Apaches only have 7 players, they play hard, fast and together. The first quarter was full of energy, anticipation and some early lead changes. The quarter finished with the Fillies down 3, 15-12. The second quarter was not in favor of the Fillies at all. The Lady Apaches were able to fill it up scoring 18 that quarter to the Fillies 4 points going into halftime down 32-16. Although the Fillies found their offense in the third quarter, the Lady Apaches didn't let up in their offensive efforts either. Both teams tied scoring at 17 points a piece in the third. The fourth quarter was full of scoring as well. Final score from Carthage was 74-49. 

After this week of play, the Fillies are 4-3 in conference play and sitting in 4th place. Up next, the Fillies take on Kilgore in Kilgore on Wednesday, February 1, 2023. This will finish up the first round of conference play.