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THE STAMPEDE: No. 10 Friendswood dead-set on returning to postseason
Friendswood enters the third year of the Christian Thompson-era.
The veteran boys hoops coach came home to his alma mater in 2021 to take over the girls' program and has gone 37-30 in his first two seasons, including the squad going 20-15 a year ago while reaching the Area Round.
Four starters return off that team, making Friendswood a favorite to not only get back into the playoff dance but make a deep run as well.
District 18-5A Offensive Player of the Year Helen Byrd averaged 20 points per game a year ago and was named to the All-Region team.
Volleyball star Nadi’ya Shelby and Claire Radtke were first-team, all-district picks a year ago, while Mabry Venables was a second-teamer.
The keys are defense and controlling the tempo through pressing. The motto for Thompson’s squad will be Defense Wins.