DALLAS -- Natalie Cardenas has stepped up tremendously during district play as she led the Friars to victory with a 26-point 10 rebound performance in the Friars' 55-42 win over rival Ursuline Academy Tuesday night.

The Friars have been short-handed throughout the season and it continued as starter Mikah Ford, as well as starter Maddie Heiss, were unavailable last night due to injury. This is the 13th game all season where the Friars haven't had their typical starting five, including five of their six district games.

Despite the challenges and grueling district schedule, Cardenas has been not only consistent but consistently great throughout. Last night was her second double-double in district play and her fifth 20+ point performance of the season. She is averaging 14.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.8 steals and 1.2 blocks per game in district play which has helped the Friars to a 5-1 record halfway through district play. 

The bench also had a big part in the victory over Ursuline, led by sophomore Londyn Perry. Perry played seven minutes off the bench but had a huge impact on the game. She finished with two points and two assists but played with a lot of energy that the rest of the Friars fed off of. In her seven minutes played she had a plus/minus of +17, the highest on the team.

Fre Vowels continued her hot streak as well, scoring nine of her 14 points in the second quarter to turn a 10-10 tie into a 12-point Friar lead at halftime. Bella Piccioni continues to be solid at the point guard position. She leads the team in assists and is averaging nearly four a game to just 1.6 turnovers per game. She also is averaging two steals per game during district play.

Ellery Sample is continuing to solidify herself as one of the best bigs in TAPPS. She is almost averaging a double-double in district play at 9.0 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. The junior is also leading the team in FT% in district play with a clip of 91%.

Next Up:
The Friars are officially halfway through district play and will host Prestonwood on Friday, January 20th at 6:00 PM in the Competition Gym. BL defeated PCA 69-47 back on December 6th to open up district play. You can read the recap here.

Sub-Varsity:
The junior varsity lost to Ursuline 43-41 last night, moving their record to 10-13, 4-1 on the season.

The freshman team lost to Ursuline 44-32 last night, moving their record to 9-8, 1-1 on the season.

Around TAPPS last night:
John Paul II defeated TCA, 41-12
Nolan Catholic defeated Parish, 52-48

TAPPS 6A - District 1 Standings:
John Paul II: 24-4, 6-0 
Bishop Lynch: 19-9, 5-1 
Nolan Catholic: 21-8, 4-2 
Parish Episcopal: 19-5, 3-3 
Ursuline Academy: 12-12, 1-4 
Prestonwood: 12-12, 1-4 
Trinity Christian: 8-15, 0-6 

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