Panhandle reigns again: Ettes claim third state title

For the 10th time in program history, the Panhandle Ettes stepped onto the state’s biggest stage. This time, they left no doubt about the ending. With a dominant defensive performance and a fast start, Panhandle secured its third state championship by defeating Mason 38-25 in the Class 2A Division I state title game Thursday at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

The victory capped a remarkable season for the Ettes, who finished with a 38-1 record. After months of consistent play and steady dominance, Panhandle returned to the top of the Class 2A girls basketball world for the first time since 2017.

From the opening tip, the Ettes set the tone. Panhandle came out firing offensively, hitting eight of its first nine shots. That early surge, paired with relentless defensive pressure, allowed the Ettes to jump out to a stunning 15-0 lead before Mason found the scoreboard. By the end of the first quarter, Panhandle held a commanding 19-4 advantage.

While the opening period featured offensive efficiency from the Ettes, the rest of the game turned into a defensive grind for both teams. Shots were difficult to come by as each defense tightened up and forced contested looks. Mason finished the game shooting 29 percent from the field, while Panhandle shot 32 percent overall. The Ettes also struggled from long distance, missing their first 15 attempts from beyond the arc before finally connecting late in the fourth quarter.

Even when the offense slowed, Panhandle leaned on the identity that carried the team throughout the season: defense. The Ettes forced 17 turnovers and consistently disrupted Mason’s offensive rhythm.

The Cowgirls showed resilience in the second quarter, putting together a 7-0 run and holding Panhandle scoreless for nearly five minutes. The push helped Mason chip away at the deficit, but the Ettes maintained control and carried a 25-15 lead into halftime.

The defensive battle continued after the break. Mason slowly worked its way back into the game and trimmed the margin to 29-25 in the second half, setting up a tense finish.

That was when Panhandle delivered the decisive moment.

With just over five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Paige Bixby knocked down the Ettes’ first three-pointer of the night, providing a much-needed spark. The shot shifted momentum back toward Panhandle, and the Ettes followed it with their trademark defensive intensity.

From there, Panhandle slammed the door shut. The Ettes closed the game on a 9-0 run, locking down Mason defensively and pulling away to secure the 38-25 victory.

Leading the way was Riley Segura, an Abilene Christian commit who delivered a standout performance on the sport’s biggest stage. Segura earned the game’s MVP honors after scoring 19 points, the only double-digit scoring performance of the night. She also filled the stat sheet with seven rebounds, two steals, two blocks, and an assist.

Mason was led by Flora Appleton and Anna Marie Whitworth, who each scored six points. Whitworth also led all players on the glass with nine rebounds.

For Panhandle, the championship represents more than just a trophy. It reflects a season defined by consistency, defense, and the ability to rise in the biggest moments. With a 38-1 record and another title added to the program’s history, the Ettes once again proved they belong among Texas’ elite.