After a high-flying Katy and Cinco Ranch girls junior varsity game went down to the wire, the stage and intensity was set for one of Katy’s heated rivalries Friday night.

Katy may have won on the JV level (62-56), but the Lady Cougars’ defense proved to be the difference in 57-34 victory over Katy. From start to finish, the Lady Cougars maintained control.

“We talk a lot about intensity and focus,” Cinco Ranch coach Eric Bartlett said.

In this game, there was plenty of intensity. Cinco Ranch kept constant pressure on Katy making it difficult to bring the ball up the court in press situations. With this pressure, the Cougars were able to capitalize by scoring several points in transition.

Cinco Ranch went into halftime with a ten-point lead (28-18), but came out of the locker room fired up.

“We had a meeting of the minds,” Bartlett said.

That meeting obviously worked. The Cougars hit the court knocking down quite a few three-point shots and continued playing tough defense holding the Lady Tigers to two third quarter points.

Cougar guard Briana Gilbreath had the hot hand with 16 points. Forward Paige Prehoda added another 12 points. The Tigers' scoring leaders were forward Savanna Buck (10) and center Holly Hall (6).

Cinco Ranch will continue District 18-5A play against Alief Elsik and Katy will play Katy Taylor. Both games are on Tuesday at 7 p.m.