One with a penchant for scoring along with the added ability to create opportunities for teammates is an opposing coach’s nightmare.
And a team with three such players is an entirely different breed of monster - it’s the Belton Lady Tigers.
“We’re probably a little more dangerous all around this year,” Lady Tigers coach Barry Elkins said in an understated manner about his overpowering squad.
Today, Belton (20-1-3) takes its high-octane scoring show to Midlothian ISD Stadium for a Class 5A bi-district clash with Mesquite Horn (16-7-4) at 6 p.m.
The Lady Tigers have already equaled the school’s single-season record for goals (114), and they don’t plan on letting up as they look to extend and surpass their string of three consecutive appearances in the regional quarterfinals.
“All of us seniors have let everybody know how we expect to win in the playoffs and what we expect to do,” said forward Chelsea Jones, a Texas A&M signee and the ring leader of Belton’s three-pronged scoring attack.
The skillful senior has notched 30 goals this season - bringing her career total to 105 - and joins with tenacious Baylor signee Michelle Hagen (21 goals) and speedy sophomore Jourdan Brown (29) to form a potent trio up front.
“It helps to have other good people around you. If it was just me, I couldn’t do it,” Brown said. “Michelle can dribble across the field, take it down the left side and score near post.”
To which Hagen replied: “And Chelsea’s always there. If I get in trouble, I know I can dump it off and she can go get it and score.”
Added Jones: “And Jourdan’s speed is a big asset. We can play long balls and she’s good at getting to them.”
The trio’s readiness to share the praise is mirrored in its ability to spread the scoring wealth, evidenced by Jones’ 22 assists, Brown’s 16 and Hagen’s 14.
“We have three players who can score goals and create just as many if not more for others,” Elkins said. “That’s what makes us more dangerous because Jourdan can score and create, Chelsea can score and create, and so can Michelle.”
And if by some chance all three weapons have difficulty firing on any given night, the Lady Tigers have a defense - one that’s surrendered a miserly total of 10 goals - to lean on.
“There are different parts of the game and we always look and say, ‘Which parts are we doing best and which parts do we need to work on?’” Elkins said. “And what I might be happiest with is the fact that we’ve only given up 10 goals.”
Notes: Tonight’s winner will advance to this weekend’s area round to face the winner of the bi-district match between Carrollton Creekview and Garland Rowlett.
