By R.V. Baugus, www.texprepsbasketball.com
Special to MaxPreps.com
Call it Texas’ version of “Rivalry Week”. Several key district contests played out over the past seven days that went a long way into bringing some district chases into clearer view.
The Houston area is loaded in Class 4A with Houston ISD juggernauts Yates, Jones and Wheatley at the top. Jones and Wheatley reside in District 22-4A and hooked up in a classic contest eventually won by Wheatley in overtime, 82-80.
The Wildcats started fast and led 21-14 after one quarter and stretched the advantage to 40-27 at halftime. But Jones showed its resiliency and after knocking eight points off the deficit by the end of the third quarter scrambled to knot things up at the end of regulation at 68.
Wheatley, which raced through district play unbeaten last year, was in must-have mode in improving to 25-4, 7-2. The Falcons still lead the district pack at 19-6, 8-1.
Hightower Tops Fort Bend District
The 10-team Fort Bend district (23-5A) is one of the state’s toughest with every game seemingly pivotal in the title chase.
The most recent installment came when Hightower stopped Bush in a surprisingly easy 62-42 game to move into first place. Both teams entered at 7-0 in district and Bush toted a TABC/Tex Preps Basketball state ranking while Hightower was somewhat under the radar with a 20-8 season record.
Itt was defense that paved the way for the Hurricanes, especially the rugged interior of 6-foot-7 J.J. Richardson and 6-5 Joshua Wesley. Wesley netted 15 points and 14 rebounds in the win while Richardson added 12 points and another 14 boards.
Fort Worth Power Surging
When perennial power Fort Worth Dunbar got off to a slow start this year by Flying Wildcat standards, many were ready to pass the torch in District 7-4A. But to whom? Last year’s state runner-up Fort Worth Southwest? Not going to happen just yet with the Raiders now standing at 12-12, 8-5.
Well, look who has risen to the top now in the second half of the district race. Yep, it’s old friend Dunbar. The Wildcats topped Fort Worth Eastern Hills, 77-62, to advance to 16-10, 11-2 and take sole possession of first place. Rashod Favors was all over the stat sheet with 17 points, 10 rebounds four assists and three steals.
Dallas Madison Tops Rival Roosevelt
Since winning the Dallas ISD/Coca-Cola Tournament during the Christmas holiday to move up the state rankings in Class 3A, Dallas Madison has had little problem with foes despite the obvious bulls-eye on its back.
The Trojans showed why they are simply a cut above the rest once again by storming past city and district rival Dallas Roosevelt, 81-64. It was Madison’s 14th consecutive win as the Trojans moved to 21-3, 7-0 while dropping Roosevelt to 14-11, 6-2. Dominique Smith led the way with 21 points, 14 of them coming after halftime.
Déjà Vu For Killeen
Killeen had district championship expectations in football until meeting Austin Lake Travis in a late-season contest. Unfortunately for Killeen, Lake Travis All-World quarterback Garrett Gilbert led his team to a romp and eventually a second consecutive Class 4A state championship.
Fast forward about three months with Killeen visiting Lake Travis in basketball with Lake Travis ranked No. 1 in the state and Killeen also in the top 10. There was no Garrett Gilbert this time, but Jordan Jahr pitched in a game-high 30 points to lead the Cavs (24-1) to a 71-58 win. In addition to securing a grip on the district lead, Lake Travis ended Killeen’s 35-game district winning streak.
Killeen, 24-5, was paced by senior forward Cory Jefferson’s 26 points.
Coaching Milestone
Houston Second Baptist coach Eric Boettcher picked up his 500th career win when the Eagles beat Fort Bend Baptist, 52-29. Boettcher, in his 23rd year of coaching, is 500-235 in his career that has included stops at Stratford, Henrietta, Midway, Krum and Marble Falls.
Streak-Buster
Thorndale won the last two Class A Division I state titles, but had its district winning streak of 51 snapped by Milano, 73-70, in overtime. What made the result even more surprising was that Milano was in last place in District 27 entering the game. But when you put the rivals from Highway 79 together on the court, the cliché of throwing records out the window is especially true.
R.V. Baugus is the Publisher of Tex Preps Basketball magazine and www.texprepsbasketball.com
