The Canton Eaglettes kicked off their district slate this past week with two thrillers, narrowly escaping both to begin the most important part of their schedule 2-0.

Canton would open their district slate on Tuesday, Dec. 13 in Lindale to face off against a new district foe, the Lady Eagles. Neither team could gain an advantage through one half of play, as a Caroline Stern three-pointer just before the buzzer knotted the game, 23-23, entering halftime.

The Eaglettes would find some momentum in the third quarter using a ‘trap’ defensive scheme, forcing several Lindale turnovers to grab a threepoint advantage. Canton would never let up this narrow margin, continuously earning defensive stops on their way to a 38-36 victory. Lindale’s game-winning shot attempt at the buzzer was thwarted by the aforementioned ‘trap’ defense.

Canton would return home on Friday, Dec. 16 to play host to long-time rival Mabank, in what would quickly turn into another heartstopper.

Both teams remained close late into the game, as each time one team would go on a seemingly momentum-shifting run, the other team always had an answer.

With just under one minute left in the fourth quarter, with Canton leading 27-26, Mabank’s Brooklyn Roberts knocked down a three-pointer from the top of the key to give the Lady Panthers a 29-27 lead. On the next possession, Sophomore Allison Rickman found the Eaglettes answer, knocking down a three-pointer of her own to reclaim the lead, 32-29.

The Lady Panthers would score one more time in the contest, but Canton would hold on to a 32-31 victory in what can only be described as a thriller.

“Not our best work but we found a way to protect our home court,” Head Coach Troy Carrell said. “These girls love seeing my hair fall out I guess.”

Rickman led the way for the Eaglettes, finishing with 13 points, 12 rebounds, and the game-winning shot.

Canton was slated to hit the road on Tuesday, heading down SH 19 to Athens for a battle with the Lady Hornets. The Eaglettes will then resume play after the holidays on Tuesday, Dec. 27 in tournament play.