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The Tomball Memorial Wildcats recently upended crosstown rival Tomball in basketball play. The Wildcats jumped out to a 17-2 lead and held on for the 50-48 overtime win. Pictured is Wildcat guard D.J. Thomas defending a shot by Tomball's Marqueese Grayson.

Throughout the Tomball Lady Cougars playoff run, they barreled their way through opponents with strong defense and a meticulous offense. In the regional championship game Feb. 22, Tomball ran into an opponent with a stifling defense to match and fell just short of the 4A Final Four, falling to top-ranked Georgetown 41-30.

The disappointing loss came one game after a thrilling win over Pflugerville Connally Feb. 21, in the regional semifinals.

Facing a team that likes to run up and down the court, the Lady Cougars took their ball control offense to another level in that contest, defeating Connally 45-40. Tomball raced to a big lead, before going ice cold in the third quarter.

The Lady Cougars found themselves down 30-28 in the final period, when Alayna Waters made a layup while getting fouled. Waters made the free throw, giving Tomball back the lead, one they wouldn't relinquish for the rest of the game.

After the hard fought victory, the Lady Cougars faced a daunting challenge in the regional championship game, as their opponent would be the top-ranked Georgetown Lady Eagles.

Georgetown raced to an 8-0 lead en route to a 13 point halftime lead.

Tomball coach Karen Lemker told her team at halftime that mistakes caused the early deficit and that if they played better in the second half they could still make it a game.
The Lady Cougars closed the gap to six with about three minutes to play, but the Lady Eagles were able to hit clutch free throws down the stretch, in pulling away for a 41-30 victory.

Carissa Diaz led Tomball with 10 points and seven rebounds, while Lexe Mark added seven points.

The loss ended the most successful run for the Lady Cougars (30-7) since 1994, which was Tomball's last appearance at state.

Tomball Memorial High School Silver Stars drill team practiced their routines in preparation for the upcoming football season. During the summer, the Stars officers attended a dance camp where they learned new choreography and leadership skills. A total of 41 freshmen, sophomores, and juniors participate on the Silver Stars drill team.

Leo Corley (right) and Creekside Forest Elementary Principal Jeanine Deyoe (left) congratulated Tina Niemann (center) for being selected as the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Month. Niemann has worked as a teacher in Tomball ISD for 20 years and was recently hired as a technology content teacher in the district. Corley presented Niemann with an engraved crystal apple and a $100 gift card. 

Second grade student Kaitlyn Ripp (left) visited with her new teacher, Chereen Shoemaker, at Timber Creek Elementary. Ripp is among nearly 300 students to attend Timber Creek Elementary, which is Tomball ISD’s eighth and newest elementary campus.  The school was built under Bond 2007 – Tomball ISD’s $198 million bond referendum. 

Fourth grade student Cameron Leblanc placed his painted hand on a large canvas that will hang in the new Timber Creek Elementary School.  Nearly 300 students and the campus staff members added their handprints to commemorate the opening of the new school.      

Kindergarten student Sebastian Sanchez met Deputy Doug Houston with the Montgomery County Sherriff’s Office at Creekside Forest Elementary during a presentation about the importance of those who serve the community.  Sanchez and his classmates also learned about Houston’s police car, equipment on his uniform, and the role of police officers within their community. 

The Tomball Memorial High School (TMHS), Northpointe Intermediate and Willow Wood Jr. High School bands will hold a fundraiser, Dinner With The Wildcats, Feb. 11, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the TMHS auditorium. There will be dinner and a live performance from all three bands. Tickets are $7.50 for adults and $4 for children in advance. For details visit www.tmhsband.com or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Willow Wood Junior High School seventh grade student Alexander Ho took the top spot in the Tomball ISD Spelling Bee. Northpointe Intermediate School fifth grade student Priya Malhotra took second place. After 51 rounds of spelling words, Ho won the bee by correctly spelling the word quinine. This was the second consecutive year that Ho and Malhotra competed in the TISD Spelling Bee.