Sam Rayburn Rebels (Ivanhoe, TX) backers were pleased Friday as they saw their basketball squad knock off the visiting Bland Tigers (Merit, TX), 53-36 in a league bout.

With the victory, Sam Rayburn upgrades its record to 24-6 on the campaign. The Rebels travel to Whitewright (Whitewright, TX) to play the Tigers in a 2A Region II District 14 bout on Tuesday, February 14. The Tigers come into the bout with a record of 3-24. Whitewright lost 64-28 in their recent league bout against Celeste (Celeste, TX)

Next up, the Tigers play the Tom Bean Tomcats (Tom Bean, TX) in a 2A Region II District 14 bout, on Tuesday, February 14. Bland will attempt to upgrade on its 13-21 season record. The Tomcats come into the bout with a 12-19 record after their 52-37 league loss to Honey Grove (Honey Grove, TX).