LADY RANGERS BACK TODAY | Host Evelyn Blalock Classic; they play at 5, games begin at 1

Well, they’re back, and if you’ve had all the college football you can stand – or maybe if you just want to take a look and see how the Kilgore College Lady Rangers are doing before conference play gets started – Masters Gymnasium on Monday is the place for you.

The Lady Rangers return to action today after taking the last few weeks off, as usual, that long December holiday break. They’re hosting the Evelyn Blalock Women’s Basketball Tournament, named after the legendary national title-winning coach and KC women’s basketball founder.

It’s actually a two-day event.

Today, Panola College will face Hill College at 1 p.m., followed by Tyler Junior College taking on McLennan at 3. KC has the final game, taking on Arkansas Cossatot at 5.

On day two on Tuesday, Panola faces Cossatot at 11 a.m., TJC takes on Hill at 1, and KC faces McLennan at 3.

Games will be broadcast live by KC sports broadcaster Manny Almanza here: youtube.com/@kilgorecollege1935.

KC is 6-6 overall, coached by Stephanie Williams. They will begin the conference schedule at Angelina on Jan. 10, and then Coastal Bend comes here to Masters Gym on Saturday, Jan. 13. There are only nine teams in the conference: KC, Trinity Valley, Tyler, Blinn, Angelina, Panola, Paris, Coastal Bend, and Jacksonville.

The Lady Rangers shoot 40 percent from the floor, 30 percent from three-point range and just under 72 percent from the free throw line.

BryKayla Hampton is averaging 13.2 points a game, and leads the team in scoring. Nakiyah Allen is averaging 12.3 a game.

Coach Robert Byrd’s Rangers are off a little longer, hosting Victory College this Saturday, Jan. 6, a 4 p.m. tip-off. KC visits Lee College next Wednesday, Jan. 10, and returns home to face Angelina College Jan. 13.

KC beat Byrd’s former team, Coastal Bend, for their first conference win of the season just before the holiday break. They’re 10-4 overall and 1-2 in conference play. The Rangers play in the North Zone, and the Rangers are part of a large group of teams that are all 1-2: KC, Tyler, Paris, and Bossier Parish. Panola and Navarro are 2-1, and Trinity Valley is 3-0.

Victoria is in the South Zone, and is 1-2, along with Angelina, Coastal Bend, and Lamar State-Port Arthur. Lee is 3-0, and Jacksonville is 0-3.

Masters Gymnasium, the home court of Kilgore College women’s and men’s basketball, will host the Evelyn Blalock Women’s Basketball Tournament on both Monday and Tuesday, beginning at 1 p.m. on Monday and at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. KC’s Lady Rangers are in action at 5 p.m. on Monday against Arkansas Cossatot, and at 3 p.m. Tuesday against McLennan. (File courtesy photo by ANDY GIBSON)