Bland Tigers (Merit, TX) backers were in high spirits Friday as they witnessed their basketball squad thwart the host Whitewright Tigers (Whitewright, TX), 40-25 in a league bout.

With the win, Bland upgrades its record to 19-5 on the season. The Tigers travel to Sam Rayburn (Ivanhoe, TX) to clash with the Rebels in a 2A Region II District 14 bout on Tuesday, January 16. The Rebels go into the bout with a record of 11-10. Sam Rayburn lost 39-34 in their recent league bout against Honey Grove (Honey Grove, TX)

Next up, the Tigers clash with the Celeste Blue Devils (Celeste, TX) in a 2A Region II District 14 bout, on Tuesday, January 16. Whitewright will attempt to upgrade on its 11-8 season record. The Blue Devils go into the bout with a 17-8 record after their 35-22 league win over Trenton (Trenton, TX).