Pine Tree Pirates (Longview, TX) backers were pleased Saturday as they saw their basketball squad hold off the visiting Sam Rayburn Rebels (Ivanhoe, TX), 58-57 in a non-league bout.

With the victory, Pine Tree upgrades its record to 7-7 on the campaign. The Pirates host Tyler (Tyler, TX) to play the Lions in a 5A Region II District 15 bout on Tuesday, January 2. The Lions come into the bout with a record of 3-12.

Next up, the Rebels play the Tom Bean Tomcats (Tom Bean, TX) in a 2A Region II District 14 bout, on Tuesday, January 2. Sam Rayburn will attempt to upgrade on its 12-8 season record. The Tomcats come into the bout with a 16-7 record after their 49-45 non-league win over McLeod (McLeod, TX).