File photo by Keith OwensSouth Grand Prairie celebrates a November win over Kimball at the DFW Tip Off Classic.
has been on the cusp of breaking into the national rankings since December of 2011. The Warriors went 35-3 a year ago and entered Friday with a 27-2 mark, but were still looking for that signature win that would put the program over the top.
Thanks to a 47-45 victory over District 5A-7 rival and national No. 4
DeSoto (Texas), South Grand Prairie may finally have secured that key victory.
The Warriors received 15 points from Virginia Tech-bound senior
Ben Emelogu and outscored
25-2 DeSoto 15-5 in the final eight minutes.
Rick Curry, a 6-foot-9, 255-pound junior, added 10 points for SGP.
DeSoto handed South Grand Prairie its only two losses of the season – both coming in December. However, one of those losses came in non-district play, meaning the Warriors also drew even with the Eagles in 5A-7 play Friday night.
Duke-bound DeSoto guard
Matt Jones was held in check with 13 points and struggled from the field. The Eagles hadn't lost since Nov. 17 and dominated a nationally televised matchup with
Jabari Parker and
Simeon (Chicago) in December.