Defense wins championships, and that formula powered the Panhandle Ettes to a gritty 41-32 win over Cisco in the UIL Class 2A Division I state semifinal championship on Tuesday night at Frenship Memorial High School.
Panhandle (37-1) stretched its winning streak to 36 games, earning a return trip to the state’s biggest stage for the first time since capturing the title in 2017. The Ettes will now face Mason (40-1) in the UIL Class 2A Division I state championship at the Alamodome on Thursday at 5 p.m.
This semifinal had been circled on the calendar for a full year. Last season’s 46-41 loss to Nocona in the same round lingered in the background, fueling a redemption-minded run all winter. From day one, the focus was clear: get back, finish the job, and punch a ticket to San Antonio.
Panhandle set the tone immediately against Cisco (35-3), leading for all 32 minutes. The Ettes’ defense swarmed standout Pearson Hearne, turning steals and stops into early offense. A three-pointer from Evan Shadid and steady free throws from Riley Segura helped Panhandle grab a 10-6 lead after the first quarter. Cisco managed just one field goal in the opening frame, and the defensive pressure never relented.
By halftime, the Ettes held a 20-12 advantage, limiting Cisco to just four made shots. Even when Hearne found brief rhythm, Panhandle answered, highlighted by a buzzer-beating jumper from Allie Ashley.
The Ettes pushed the lead to 13 late in the third quarter and leaned on Segura down the stretch. She calmly knocked down six of eight free throws in the final period, finishing with a team-high 17 points. Addison McCoid, Ashley, and Shadid added six apiece.
