COLLEYVILLE, Texas — Irving MacArthur point guard
Alexis Jones had 27 points and nine assists Friday in a 61-45 victory over Colleyville Heritage. For Jones, a junior who averages 21 points, nine rebounds and six assists per game, it was a pretty typical night.
Typically spectacular.
Jones, a 5-foot-9 floor general who will be among the nation's biggest recruiting prizes in the Class of 2012, was nearly unstoppable as she nailed four 3-pointers, made ankle-breaker crossover moves and attacked the basket for layups on Heritage's home court.
But Jones' most dazzling moments were when she was passing to teammates. Her court vision is terrific, whether leading a fastbreak or in a half-court set, and her pinpoint passes led to nine assists.
"I like to pass to my teammates because I know they can finish," Jones said. "I want them to shoot the ball as much as I do."
MacArthur (Irving) (27-2, 13-0 in District 6-5A) took firm control of the district race with the win over Heritage (19-10, 12-2). MacArthur made a 20-0 run in the first half, and when Heritage trimmed the lead to 22-14 midway through the second quarter, Jones ensured the game would be a rout.
First, the lefty point guard sliced to the hoop and completed a three-point play. Then she swished a jumper from well behind the 3-point arc. Jones finished the 8-0 run by dishing to
Ayriel Anderson for a layup that gave MacArthur, which is No. 5 in the 5A state rankings, a 16-point lead at the half.
FLOWER MOUND MARCUS BOYS DEALING WITH DELAYSOpponents have found a way to slow down the
Marcus (Flower Mound) boys basketball team, which is No. 2 in the 5A state rankings. Plano West and Plano each slowed the pace last week in an attempt to hang with a Marcus team loaded with talented players such as forward
Marcus Smart and guard
Phil Forte. Plano West was the most deliberate, and also the most successful, as it pushed Marcus to overtime before losing 38-31. Later in the week, Plano had a chance to tie the game in the closing seconds in a 51-46 loss. Marcus, a state semifinalist last year, is 27-1 this season. Its only loss came two months ago in overtime to Converse Judson.
BERKNER BOYS SURVIVE TWO BUZZER-BEATERSBerkner (Richardson) (22-7, 9-0 in 9-5A) stayed perfect in district play with a 60-58 overtime victory over Jesuit, but it needed a late basket from guard
Kendal Harris just to get to overtime. Forward
Jordan Mickey hit the overtime game-winner for Berkner, which is No. 12 in the 5A state rankings.
TOP PERFORMERS* Thomas Gipson, Cedar Hill boys basketball: The 6-7 power forward, who has signed with Kansas State, had 24 points and 12 rebounds in Cedar Hill's 56-54 win over Mansfield Timberview. Cedar Hill is No. 4 in the 5A state rankings.
* Alisha Washington, Lincoln girls basketball: The freshman scored a season-high 25 points in a 74-36 win over Conrad. Lincoln is No. 13 in the 4A state rankings.
Matt Wixon is the high school sports columnist for The Dallas Morning News. He can be reached at mwixon@dallasnews.com or on Twitter @mattwixon.
