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COLLEGE STATION--The super filly, Rachel Alexandra, may be the greatest female athlete since Candace Parker or Babe Zaharias, but if she can’t run in the Belmont on three weeks rest, she should get into the training program practiced by the Llano Lady basketball players. They played 12 games in a sub-72 hour stretch, June 25-28, and won all but one. Now, go enjoy those oats.

10 games took place at the Texas A&M Women’s Camp this past Friday through Sunday. Here’s a symphony of capsules, to be read, not heard or swallowed, as the girls were in the 35-team, small varsity collection. We first dive into pool play.

June 26, 1:15 pm—Llano 40, Nocona 39

The Jackets went on a 13-0 run to take a 23-13 lead in the second half—17 minutes, running clock. When Ashley Schroeder hit a three pointer from the left side on one of the four courts being used at the Cox-McFerrin Center, Llano was in front, 30-15.

“Oh, we had good and bad streaks,” summertime coach Lauren Parker said. Yes, and the bad was just ahead.

First though, Olivia Hutto scored four of her ten points, and the advantage was 38-25. It was 40-32 before the Indians (near Wichita Falls) crept to within one with 40 seconds left. Fine defense by Hutto and a rebound by Alyson Shaffer prevented a last-second win by Nocona.

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“They’re very good,” Indians coach Tracy O’Neal stated in praise of Llano. “They’re a playoff-caliber team. I hope we meet them in the tournament on Sunday.” Stick around to see if he got his wish.

June 26, 5:00 pm—Llano 36, Houston Insiders 32

We’re now in Reed Arena where the Aggies play, and where there are three courts housing games for the 55 schools (overall) in attendance.

Carli Clayton nailed a three to open the contest, but the Insiders, girls from several Houston schools, were up, 14-10 at intermission. This was a rough-and-tumble affair, and when Sarah Rucker, who can mix it up with insiders or outsiders, scored with eight minutes remaining, the Jackets led, 22-20. They never trailed again.

Allie Rostron authored the shot of the day with a three pointer off the glass. She wound up with 17 points and made a dandy assist to Cierra Jordan for a key hoop with three minutes left. Schroeder, one of Central Texas’ premier point guards, got two of her six to make it a somewhat comfortable eight point spread. Four was the difference at the buzzer.

“They were really aggressive,” Ashley declared, “and this will help us during the season. We showed we’re capable of playing against tough teams.” Taylor Francis showed she could play with a lip that had doubled in size. Get her some ice! And keep a stiff upper lip.

“It was street ball out there,” Allie allowed, “but I reined in my temper.” That was almost as impressive as her three pointer.

June 26, 8:45 pm—

Llano 31, Seven Lakes 20

A mere 2,325 students call themselves Spartans at this school in Katy. I guess Seven Lakes Lakers would be too much. If there were seven on this girls’ team, they could be Seven Ladies of the Lakes.

We’re back at the McFerrin Center, which is really the downstairs portion of Reed Arena and where there are four more courts. The NBA could hold its entire season in this building. Oh, sorry, the WNBA.

The highlight: Hutto made a sensational block from behind to prevent a breakaway two. Down the stretch, Llano went on a 10-0 run to make this contest appear to be easier than it was.

“The team chemistry is really showing,” the big O claimed. “Our poker game in the dormitory gave us some adrenaline.” Your WHAT? “Oh, don’t worry, we were only using Captain Crunch for chips.” Might suggest that to Vegas. I wonder how many Circus Circuses the Crunch box tops would pay for. Speaking of the dorm, it’s time to return there and hit the sack. No poker in the dark.

The three games on Friday boosted the girls’ total to five in about 29 hours. They wrapped up play in the San Saba league beating the Armadillos, 51-47, June 25, and tying Hamilton. There were three minutes left in that game when a “discussion” began on the accuracy of the scoreboard. San Saba head coach Tony Taylor didn’t like the Llano fans’ attitude so he said (hearsay evidence here, I say), “Game’s over; we’ll see Llano, November 18. Good night.” I’ll be scalping tickets for that one!

June 27, 10:15 am—

Llano 27, Central Hts. 18

This one against a Nacogdoches-area school wasn’t nearly as close as what you just read, and it began a stretch of games of superb defense for the Jackets.

Francis, whose lip had returned to normalcy, and who improves with each tipoff, had five points, and Schroeder scored 10 to lead six other teammates on the offensive side.

“Everybody contributed to this win,” head coach Jessica (Quintanilla) Jendrzey noted. “Our rebounding was better, and so was our defense. We’ve played some real good teams; I’m pleased with the way things are going.” I imagine: 4-0.

June 27, 1:15 pm—

Llano 46, Rockdale 13

Nine girls in Black and Orange got into the scoring column in the total domination. One big play was Rostron passing to the other “Al,” Alyson Shaffer, who sent it back to Allie who got the basket. She posted 14 points.

Francis followed a nice steal with a field goal as part of a 22-2 run, and Kathryn Looney, who can shoot from anywhere, delivered on one three pointer and scored seven points. Jordan also had one from long range.

Rockdale’s coach, Sharee Mitchell, had compliments for the Jackets’ other unit. “They were really good defensively, and defense wins championships.” Well, maybe it’s a little early to move the trophies a bit closer to each other in the gymnasium lobby, but thank you for the quote. Maybe you could give coach Taylor a call. No, not OUR coach Taylor.

June 27, 5:00 pm—

Llano 33, Sabine 15

Hutto poured in the game’s first six points, and the Cardinals from Gladewater were in hot water, falling behind 16-4 at the break.

Rostron made two consecutive fine assists: one to Karina Pieratt and one to Hut. Olivia totaled 10, while Schroeder tossed in 11.

Lauren Parker, the graduate-turned-coach, said: “We didn’t know what to expect, but our intensity certainly dominated theirs, and we got after it.”

The pool record has now reached 6-0 with one game left Sunday morning before the tournament starts. The Jackets may spend more time in College Station than Dave South.

June 28, 8:45 am—

Llano 40, Slocum 21

The Mustangs took a 5-4 lead in the finale of pool play, but the Jackets took charge after that against a bunch, who live south of Palestine. None of them brought any autographs of Adrian Peterson.

It was 24-12 at the half, and Rostron produced a coast-to-coast drive and then came up with an impressive spin move to the rim. Hutto scored a dozen points. It’s tournament time.

June 28, 12:30 pm—

Llano 27, Cushing 4

The halves were down to 10 minutes each. Gracious, I paid good money for these seats to see what amounts to a game of Horse!

Best defensive performance of the weekend for Llano—the Bearkats, north of Nacogdoches, did not score a field goal.

Olivia made a steal, got the ball to Ashley, who fed Clayton for the two. Another Hut swipe went to Allie, and she found Schroeder, who scored. O would also grab a rebound, drive most of the length of the floor, and dish to Looney who converted. Kat also ended the scoring with a three pointer. 8-0 and on to the Round of 16.

June 28, 1:30 pm—

Llano 15, Clements 11

The venue for this confrontation was in Reed Arena and, although three courts were set up, the Jackets and Rangers of Fort Bend used the same hardwood the Aggies use.

Clements, with an enrollment of more than 2,500, was up, 9-6, at the break, but Llano went on a 7-0 run the first five minutes of the second half. Rostron and Schroeder both scored, and then Allie assisted to Rucker who got the basket plus a free throw. Ruck also got the game’s last two after a good pass from Hutto.

“I’m learning to just do it, not to think about it,” Sarah advised.

June 28, 2:30 pm—

Nocona 19, Llano 10

Beware of what a coach wishes for—he may get it. Remember, about 32 paragraphs ago, Tracy O’Neal said he wanted to play the Jackets again in the tourney? Well, he did, and he did.

The scoreboard tells the story. The end of the line had been reached. Next stop—Llano.

Final Numbers: 9-1 record, a member of the Elite Eight in the tournament, out of 35 schools. The Jackets were 7-2 here in 2008.

“We rattled off a ton of wins,” coach Jendrzey said, “before losing to a real good team. I am very happy with our effort—all the girls contributed, and I think we’ll be more balanced next season.

“Our intensity picked up, and it really showed on defense and under the boards. The main thing is, as far as the camp at A&M is concerned, we fought hard from start to finish.”