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  • Pirates bounce back

                                   JASON CHLAPEK I SJNT Shepherd guard Dillen Johnson (11) shoots over a defender during a recent game.

    From Staff Reports

    SHEPHERD — In a bizarre week that featured three games in a four-day span, the Shepherd boys basketball team maintained its stronghold on third place in the District 21-4A standings with a pair of wins last week.

    The Pirates suffered a 66-50 setback at the hands of Hardin-Jefferson on Jan. 26, but bounced back to defeat Splendora, 56-45, on Jan. 27, and held off Liberty, 65-59, last Friday. Shepherd (13-10, 6-3 in 21-4A) hosted Livingston Tuesday night, and had a chance to clinch a playoff spot with a victory.

    In last Friday’s win at Liberty, the Pirates dominated the first three quarters and led 47-24 heading into the final quarter. But the Panthers went on a 35-18 run to pull within six, 65-59, by the end of the contest.

    Trase Thiessen led Shepherd with 23 points, while Carlos Renovato had 18. Bradley Davis (9 points, 14 rebounds) and Dillen Johnson (8 points, 9 rebounds) also contributed.

    In the Pirates’ victory at Splendora on Jan. 27, they held a slim lead throughout and were led by a 14-point performance from Jesse Valerie and a double-double from Johnson (10 points, 11 rebounds). Renovato (11 points, 9 rebounds) and Thiessen (13 points) also contributed.

    In the home loss to Hardin-Jefferson on Jan. 26, Shepherd trailed 45-39 going into the fourth before the Hawks soared to victory with a 21-11 game-ending run. Davis and Renovato led the Pirates with 20 and 16 points, respectively.

    Shepherd visits Hamshire-Fannett at 6 p.m. Friday and hosts Huffman Hargrave at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

  • Pirates take defensive struggle

    IMG 2403 BRIAN BESCH I PCE Freshman Josh Perkins shoots for two of his 20 points Wednesday.

    By Brian Besch

    LEGGETT - Leggett hosted their neighbors to the north Wednesday, defeating Corrigan-Camden 50-38.

    Josh Perkins led all scores with 20 and Chase Parrish had 19 to pace the Pirates. The freshman Perkins was lethal in the second half, pouring in 18 points in just two periods.

    “He is going to be a scorer,” Pirate coach Sean Edwards said of Perkins. “He was a little nervous the first couple of games, but he has gotten better. When we played (Hull-) Daisetta, he did real good and he is stepping up his game. It's going to be completely different this season because we have to live and die by defense, but we have to play more half-court offense as well. “We have to be patient with everybody sharing the ball more too this year.”

    The Pirates have put together back-to-back victories after beginning the season 0-3, while playing up in classification.

    The first quarter of Wednesday’s game began a little slow at 4-2 in favor of the ‘Dogs, as both offenses needed time gain traction.

    “We started off slow and a little sluggish. With (a first-quarter score of) 4-2, I thought we were at a little dribblers game,” Edwards said. “I think it was more of nerves than anything, but we'll be fine. I am happy with how we are tough and running help more half-court offense. We need to work on taking care of the ball. We had 22 turnovers again, and we can't go far with that.”

    A 12-point run in the second quarter allowed the Pirates to take an 18-13 lead into the half. Leggett would score 17 and 15 in the final quarters to further distance themselves and take the game.

    For Corrigan, Tra Thomas had a dozen points and Tony Cooper had nine.

    “Tonight wasn't one of our better games,” new Corrigan-Camden coach Andrew Kirkendoff said. “I thought we could have handled the ball better. There are a lot of things that we have to work on, but I think coming to a program that really never had a focus on basketball, we're just trying to build a program. It is a day-by-day process and I think by district we’ll be ready.”

    The Bulldogs are currently 0-3 on the young season, with a loss to Palestine Westwood by seven and Groveton by four.

    “I think we are small, so we have to work together,” Kirkendoff said. “As you can see, we had trouble rebounding. I've got a couple of guards that can play and I think when they understand the game better and understand what I'm trying to do in the system, I think will be a whole lot better.”

  • Playing together as a team (VIDEO)

    IMG 3533BRIAN BESCH | PCE Kenadi Houser shoots for two in the lane.

    By Brian Besch

    The Onalaska Lady Cats proved just how far the team has come in a month's time, defeating New Waverly 63-27 Friday by the lake.

    In their first meeting, the Lady Dogs took a 51-37 match from December. Whether revenge, redemption, payback or just the will to win, Onalaska left little doubt from the start. They took an early 14-4 lead and led by 11 by the end of the first period. 

    A quarter later, the advantage grew to 32-12.

    "If you go back to the game that we played at New Waverly, it wasn't even the same team," Onalaska coach Ashley Sustaita said. "We have done a complete rehaul of attitude and mindsets. They are totally bought in to their role and their job, and it's all 12 of them. They do such a good job of doing what I need them to and what the team needs them to do."

    The struggles for New Waverly continued, as a suffocating Lady Cat defense held the opponent to just 14 points through three quarters. 

    "We don't have a dominant kid and we've had teams try to box-and-one us," Sustaita said. "We just have such a great team right now and it is awesome to be a part of."

    Sustaita feels each player knowing their role and how they fit into the team was the problem before. That appears to be settled, with the team shuffling five girls in and out and each playing a part.

    "It's easy to want to be the top dog or not have any responsibility. I'm very open with my girls and very transparent with what I want them to do to be successful. We definitely put 'we' before 'me' every single day.

    "I always tell my kids that we don't have starters. We have five kids that I think we need to start the game, but they know that it may not be the five that we need to finish the game to win it for us. Being ready on the bench and being active in the game is so important."

    Kierra Anstee led the Lady Cats with 19 points, Kenadi Houser and Jordyn Shutter each had a dozen, and Maddie Stelck had eight.

    "We have some freshmen who have stepped up defensively and have done a good job. It has been awesome to see our juniors take them under their wing and be excited for them. 

    "On the last play, it was a freshman that shot the ball and my junior point guard is over there losing her mind for her. That is family and it is what we preach. I think we've done a good job of changing the culture here for women's basketball at Onalaska."

  • Ready for the challenge (VIDEO)

    IMG 3389BRIAN BESCH | PCE Corynn Kaleh had six points in the first quarter and eight for the game.

    Lady Cats prepare for two games that will determine district lead

    By Brian Besch

    Tuesday’s game in Dallardsville seemed more of a formality than competition, as Big Sandy easily outscored Spurger 69-14.

    The home team overpowered the Lady Pirates 42-3 in the first half and never allowed more than six points (fourth) in any quarter.

    “We have battled a little bit of injury since the Christmas break, but overall, I have been pleased with the way we have been playing,” Big Sandy coach Ryan Alec said of his group. “We've beaten some quality teams over the break and we also lost to a quality team in Central Pollok at their place. They were a good, solid team. We got a chance to see what a really great team looks like.”

    Alexis Thompson led the way on the scoreboard, with 28 points in just three quarters. The sophomore point guard hit eight 3-pointers. Faith Geller had 19 points, connecting three times from behind the arc, and Kalyssa Dickens collected 10 points.

    The Lady Cats are undefeated going into an important two-game stint of district contests. Both could prove to be pivotal in determining District 24-2A seeding for the postseason.

    “In my opinion, it is going to come down to us, West Sabine and Broaddus,” Alec said of the title race. “I think all of us will battle it out for the top spot. With West Sabine, we are going to have to match their intensity and we will have to play well. We play at their place on Friday and that is always a tough place to play.

    “You always tried to take games one game at a time and our focus is on West Sabine now. We have Broaddus at home on Tuesday, which will be another tough battle. They are very aggressive and play extremely hard. That will be another tough game.”

    The challenges are something the coach believes his team is prepared to face.

    “We're ready and I think the kids are excited for Friday night. They know how big of a game Friday night is going to be in West Sabine.”

     

  • Strong fourth quarter lifts Trojans

    IMG 3764BRIAN BESCH | PCE Dante Eldridge drives to the hoop.

    BY BRIAN BESCH

    The Trojans of Coldspring-Oakhurst used a late kick to handily defeat Onalaska, 90-44, Jan. 26, in San Jacinto County.

    Onalaska managed to remain within striking distance of the defending state semifinalists for part of the third quarter, but Coldspring found another gear. The Trojan press was successful more times than not late in the contest, allowing for a 39-point final period.

    "I thought we were a little rusty through the first three quarters," Coldspring coach Greg Devers said. "We haven't played since last Tuesday and I had some kids out, so we didn't get a chance to practice yesterday. We were wide open and we had threes and we had layups. Our defense was there and our quickness was there, but we just couldn't go."

    Through four minutes in the fourth quarter, Coldspring scored 27 points and ended with 39 for the eight-minute span. Duke Lawniczak led all scorers with 32, freshman Luke Monroe had 14 -- all in the fourth quarter --and Jared Curry scored 12.

    "I hope that kind of carries over,” Devers said of his team's fourth-quarter performance. “We are trying to get our rotation going and get ready for the playoffs.

    "I thought Coach (Nicholas) Tyerman did a great job and I told him not to show that press break to anybody, because at the end of the third quarter, it was an 11-point game. He did a great job of preparing his kids for tonight."

    It has been a while since Coldspring has been challenged within district, but New Waverly put a stop to the Trojans 39-game winning streak a few weeks ago.

    "New Waverly is one of the top teams in this region. They are 18-1 and ranked No. 7 and we are 13-1 and ranked No. 12. The big showdown is going to be next Friday at New Waverly. Kind of like us last year, I think they are going to be the team to beat. We are not going to just let them have our district title. I hope we will have a couple of tricks up our sleeves when we play next Friday."

    Devers said his team lacks the depth that they possessed during last year's run to the state tournament in San Antonio. He is looking for a few athletes to step into larger roles once the postseason begins. He also wants the team to work on its half-court defense.

    Onalaska has struggled in the 20-21 season, but Tyerman sees improvement in his group. There were flashes of potential throughout the first three quarters of Tuesday.

  • Survive and advance

    IMG 4868BRIAN BESCH | PCE Adrian Thompson (3) of Big Sandy shoots a jumper in the lane.

    By Brian Besch

    The Big Sandy Wildcats left Kirbyville Monday night with the promise of another game, after holding on to beat Shelbyville 55-53 in the bi-district round of the UIL playoffs. 

    Down for much of the first half, the pace of the game appeared too quick in for the 'Cats in the opening period. Down 19-12 after the opening eight minutes, they settled in and took better care of the ball. 

    "Obviously, we got off to a shaky start and the pressure hurt us especially," Big Sandy coach Kevin Foster said. "I don't know if it was playoff jitters or what. (Shelbyville is) real athletic, but I felt like if we could ever really settle down, we would be OK. Right before the half, we took the lead, but we had a few mistakes that weren't real smart on our part."

    With 2:18 to go in the second quarter, Big Sandy pulled ahead at 26-25. The Dragons ended the half with a few buckets to go back up, 31-28.

    "Every team out there is in the same boat," Foster said. "We haven't played in nine days. We practiced a little bit last week. Their district was very tough and there are a lot of good teams in it. That helps a team like them coming in."

    A turning point in the contest was a six-point swing, as Adrian Thompson hit a shot under the hoop and received two technical shots after he was shoved to the floor. The Wildcats inbounded after and Thompson hit a jumper in the lane.
     


    The Dragons were held to eight points in the third and fourth quarters. Big Sandy forced Shelbyville to settle for many outside shots over the final three periods, outscoring the Dragons in each.

    "They stretched it out again and we just kept telling the kids to chip away at it the best you can," the Wildcat coach said. "We didn't do great down the stretch, but we did just enough and made just enough free throws. We turned it over too much and they made some big shots late."

    Seth Beene-Williams led with 15 points, Kaden Foster scored 14 and Thompson had 13. Brayden Hand led the Dragons with a dozen and Jakivian Calhoun had 10. 

    Big Sandy moves on to challenge the victor of the Mount Union/Woden contest. Foster believes his team's next game will occur Thursday.
  • Too little too late (VIDEO)

    IMG 2610BRIAN BESCH | PCE Livingston’s Jon’Toyrian McNeal scored a game-high 27 points Tuesday.

    Liberty versus Livingston Lady Lions

    By Brian Besch

    The Livingston Lady Lions suffered their second district loss in as many games Tuesday, as the Liberty Lady Panthers escaped Polk County with a 45-42 win.

    “It was rough,” Livingston coach Brittany Jefferson said. “I at least expected the girls to come out here and do what they were supposed to do. They came out and, just to be honest, they had no energy whatsoever. We wouldn't box out, we didn't get rebounds, the turnovers with the guards that I had — we were just giving the ball straight to Liberty. They just didn't do what they were supposed to do.”

    The game Tuesday was a case of too little too late. The defending district champions seemingly picked up their intensity and focus in spots, but could not sustain a high level of play. A fourth-quarter comeback attempt fell short.

    Leading 9-4 in the first quarter, Liberty went on a 12-3 run and eventually took a 22-19 advantage into the break at the half. The Lady Panthers came out of the locker room and put another eight points up before Livingston answered.

    “The last two minutes of the game, they wanted to pick it up and tried to pick it up, but it's too late,” Jefferson said. “You are supposed to do that at the beginning. When you are trying to do that in the last two minutes of the game and you are down by six or eight points, it's too late. You should have just picked it up at the beginning. If they would have played like they did in the last two minutes, then it probably would have been an easy win. Since they didn't do that, it just didn't happen.”

    Liberty’s Madyson Goudeau led the Lady Panthers with 15 points, Drelyn Willis had 13, and Reese Evans added eight. For Livingston, Jon’Toyrian McNeal had 27 points, Z Garner finished with eight and Natavia Davis had seven.

    Livingston is now winless in two district games, dropping the first to district favorite Hardin-Jefferson in a lopsided 103-10 blowout.

    “I would have assumed that, hopefully, we would have been 1-1 now,” the coach said. “We just have to take it as it is and, hopefully, they'll learn from it. If not, it is going to be a long, long, long season.”

    Jefferson most wants her team to be able to take care of the ball. The team had problems setting up and executing an offense because of an inability to control the basketball.

    The Lady Lions’ next opportunity to get in the district win column will be Dec. 18 on the road at Hamshire-Fannett.

    Discuss this story in the East Texas News Forum

  • Trinity boys outclassed in season opener

    GBKB2TONY FARKAS | TCN Trinity Lady Tiger Rayn Balli (No. 22) drives around Groveton defenders during a Nov. 7 game in Trinity. The Lady Tigers defeated the Lady Indians 44-22.

    By Tony Farkas

    TRINITY — An extended football season led to a late start for the Trinity Tigers’ basketball squad, and the lack of playing time may have led to the 88-33 loss to Livingston on Friday in the teams’ first game.

    Livingston took advantage of more playing time, as well as a distinct height advantage, during the game.

    Head Coach Jacoby Mitchell said there was only five days of practice before their season opener, and that combined with having some key starters out was a factor in the loss.

    “We had too many turnovers, we have to take care of ball better than that,” Mitchell said. “We have to work on taking great shots, not just good shots.”

    Trinity now stands 0-1 on the season, and Livingston improved its record to 2-0.

    Mitchell said his top producers in the game were Jakai Miller-Gates, who scored 13 points, and Terius Maxie, who dropped in 10 points.

    Area Roundup

    Boys Basketball

    • Apple Springs (0-2)
    • Nov. 20 vs. Spurger, 75-40 loss.
    • Nov. 17 vs Chester, 45-43 loss.
    • Groveton (1-0)
    • Nov. 14 vs. Westwood, 55-47 win.

    Girls Basketball

    TRINITY — A cross-county rivalry left the Lady Tigers with a 44-22 win over the Lady Indians on Nov. 7.

    The win puts Trinity at 3-1 while Groveton drops to 0-2.

    Girls basketball roundup

    Apple Springs:

    • Nov. 10 vs. Zavalla, 45-42 loss.
    • Nov. 17 vs. Chester, 32-28 loss.

    Groveton:

    • Nov. 13 vs. San Augustine: 41-37 loss.

    Trinity:

    • Nov. 10 vs. Hearne, 56-42 loss.
    • Nov. 13 vs. Latexo, 48-22 win.
    • Nov. 14 vs. Centerville, 37-34 win.
  • Trinity County Basketball Score Roundup

    121720 bkb 1TONY FARKAS | TCNS Trinity Tiger Terius Maxie (No. 22 white) goes over a Lovelady defender during the team’s Dec. 8 matchup, which Trinity won 59-51.

    BOYS BASKETBALL

    Trinity

    Dec. 12 vs. Alpha Omega, 68-53 loss.

    Dec. 8 vs. Lovelady, 59-51 win.

    Groveton

    Dec. 11 vs. Hemphill, 56-35 loss.

    Centerville

    No scores reported

    Apple Springs

    Dec. 11 vs. Colmesneil, 58-25 loss

    Dec. 8 vs. Zavalla, 45-36 win

     

    121720 bkb 3COURTESY PHOTO A host of Groveton Lady Indians go for the ball during the team’s win over Lovelady on Friday.

    GIRLS BASKETBALL

    Trinity

    Dec. 11 vs. Tarkington, 55-44 loss.

    Dec. 8 vs. Corrigan-Camden, 64-31 win.

    Groveton

    No scores reported.

    Centerville

    No scores reported

    Apple Springs

    Dec. 11 vs. Kennard, 36-21 win.

    Dec. 8 vs. Neches, 62-15 loss.

  • Trinity downs Woodville (VIDEO)

    IMG 3711TONY FARKAS | TCNS Trinity’s Jakai Miller-Gates (No. 13) goes up for two of his 18 points during a Dec. 4 match with Woodville. The Tigers won the game 62-59.

    TCNS staff

    TRINITY — Practice made for almost perfect as the Trinity Tigers downed the Woodville Eagles 62-59 on Friday.

    Head Coach Jacoby Mitchell credited gym time for the improvement over their opening game.

    “I felt like we been in the gym a lot more, and they were realizing what is a good shot and a great shot, and had less problems with turnovers,” Mitchell said.

    Top scorers in the match include Terius Maxie, who posted 20 points as well as banking the double-double, pulling down 12 rebounds; Jakai Miller-Gates with 18 points; and Trey Goodman with 13 points.

    Trinity VS. Woodvillle Video

    Boys Basketball

    Trinity

    Dec. 1 vs. Grapeland, 66-56 loss.

    Nov. 23 vs. Huntington, 51-44 loss.

    Groveton

    Nov. 24 vs. Corrigan-Camden, 34-30 win.

    Apple Springs

    Dec. 4 vs. Richards, 54-40 loss.

    Dec. 1 vs. Zavala, 54-21 loss.

    Nov. 23 vs. Brookeland, 55-27 loss.

    Centerville

    No scores reported

    Girls Basketball

    Trinity

    Dec. 5 vs. Centerville, 53-31 loss.

    Dec. 4 vs. Corrigan-Camden, 56-22 win.

    Nov. 23 vs. Livingston, 49-32 win.

    Groveton

    Dec. 4 vs. Caney Creek, 35-32 win

    Apple Springs

    Dec. 1 vs. Zavala, 46-33 loss.

    Nov. 23 vs. Brookeland, 25-22 loss.

    Centerville

    No scores reported.

  • Trinity girls take 3rd in district

    021121 bkb 4COURTESY PHOTO The Centerville Lady Bulldogs are headed to the playoffs against Zavalla on Thursday.

    TCNS staff

    TRINITY — After a win last week, the Trinity Lady Tigers fell to district rival Onalaska on Saturday to place third in the district.

    Trinity lost in overtime 57-52, even though the Feb. 2 score was a 40-37 win.

    The Lady Tigers next play East Barnard at 6 p.m. Thursday at Waller High School.

    The Tiger boys lost to Tarkington 54-48 on Saturday. Trey Goodman led scorers with 21 points, and Jakai Miller-Gates chipped in 16.

    Trinity was to play New Waverly on Tuesday and Anderson-Shiro on Thursday.

    On Feb. 2, Trinity overpowered Onalaska 67-57.

    021121 bkb 3TONY FARKAS | TCNS Trinity Tiger center Terius Maxie (No. 22) attempts a bucket during a district game against Tarkington on Saturday.

    Apple Springs

    Coach Michael Powell said the Lady Eagles finished district play with a 2-10 record.

    “We beat Kennard twice, but lost to everyone else,” he said.

    The Eagles went 0-10 in district with two games left to play this week.

    Their last game, Feb. 2 vs. Laneville, ended up a 68-20 loss.

    Centerville

    Head Coach Kevin Parker said the Lady Bulldogs will be advancing to the playoffs and will face Zavalla in the Bi-District Round on Thursday in Huntington.

    Boys

    Feb. 5 vs. Kennard, 59-42 loss.

    Girls

    Feb. 5 vs. Kennard, 55-36 win.

    Feb. 3 vs. Neches, 50-19 loss.

    Groveton

    Coach Rogelyn Andrews said the Lady Indians are tied with Leon for fourth place in district.

    Groveton was to play Tuesday in Grapeland, and the winner will move on to play Martin's Mill Friday in Bi-District. 

     

  • Trinity splits against Coldspring-Oakhurst

    020421 grovetonPHOTO BY MARTHA MERICLE A Groveton player looks to move toward the goal during the Indians’ 35-31 win over Latexo on Jan. 26, 2021.

    TCNSA STAFF

    COLDSPRING — The Trinity girls outlasted the Coldspring-Oakhurst Lady Trojans, but the boys, who played catchup for the game, lost by 20.

    The Lady Tigers stopped COHS with a 57-11 drubbing, while the Trojans downed the Tigers 72-52 on Friday.

    For the Tigers, Jakai Miller-Gates led scoring with 18, followed by Trey Goodman with 12.

    Coach Jacoby Mitchell

    The win puts the Lady Tigers at 7-3 in district play, while the boys fall to 3-5.

    On Jan. 26, The Lady Tigers edged out Anderson-Shiro 48-47.

    Coach Taylor Wilson said it was the team’s first time to beat the Lady Owls in district play.

    Top scorers were Rayn Balli with 19 points, Peyton Robb with 10 points, Cynthia Sizemore with 7 points, Shania English with 5 points and Nevaeh Craft with 5 points.

    Centerville

    Girls

    (10-2 overall, 6-1 in district)

    •Jan. 27 vs. Laneville, 31-20 win.

    Top scorers: Gracie May with 11 points, Alexis May with 8

    •Jan. 26 vs. Apple Springs, 34-19 win

    Top scorers: K.K. Mott with 14, Gracie May with 14

    Boys 

    •Jan. 27 vs. Laneville 67 Centerville 67-41 loss

    (Ethan Rutledge 14, Aydn Self 14)

    •Jan. 26 vs. Apple Springs 66-44 win

    (Aydn Self 33 points, Ethan Rutledge 10 points)

    Groveton

    Girls

    •Jan. 25 vs. Grapeland, 50-41 loss.

    Scorers: Tatum Porter with 12, Lena Taylor with 10, Kiki Smith with 8, Kassie Plotts with 5, Chasity Blair with 5, Maicey Smith with 1

    Rebounds: Kassie Plotts with 16, Chasity Blair with 6 op Assists: Kiki Smith with 3, Chasity Blair with 3, Maicey Smith with 3

    Blocks: Kiki Smith 2, Tatum Porter 1

    •Jan. 23 vs. Lovelady, 43-26 loss

    Scorers: Tatum Porter with 8, Lena Taylor with with 6, Kassie Plotts with 5, Chasity Blair with 4, Kiki Smith with 2, Maicey Smith with 1

    Rebounds: Chasity Blair with 8, Lena Taylor with 8, Kassie Plotts with 6

    Assists Kiki Smith with 2, Kassie Plotts with 2

    •Jan. 21 vs. Centerville, 60-25 loss

    Lena Taylor with 9, Tatum Porter with 9, Maddy Thomas with 3, Chasity Blair with 2, Kassie Plotts with 2

    Rebounds: Lena Taylor with 8, Kassie Plotts with 7

    •Jan. 20 vs. Grapeland, 56-32 loss.

    Scorers: Tatum Porter with 15, Lena Taylor 1 with 2, Maicey Smith with 2, Chasity Blair with 2, Bre McQueen with 1

    Rebounds: Kassie Plotts with 10, Chasity Blair with 9

    Assists: Kassie Plotts with 4, Ingrid Rojo with 1

    Boys

    •Jan. 26 vs. Latexo, 35-31 win.

    •Jan. 25 vs. Centerville, 59-44 loss.

    Apple Springs

    Girls

    •Jan. 29 vs. Wells, 48-25 loss

    •Jan. 26 vs. Centerville, 34-19 loss

    Boys

    •Jan. 29 vs. Wells, 70-26 loss

    •Jan. 26 vs. Centerville, 66-44 loss

  • Trojans, Pirates begin playoff quests

                                   JASON CHLAPEK | SJNT Coldspring-Oakhurst guard Duke Lawniczak (with ball) dribbles in the paint against Shepherd post Bradley Davis during a game between the Trojans and Pirates earlier this season. 

    By Jason Chlapek
    SJNT staff writer

    COLDSPRING — The road to San Antonio begins tonight and tomorrow night for the Coldspring-Oakhurst and Shepherd boys basketball teams, respectively.

    The Trojans, defending Region III-Class 3A champions, face Van Vleck at 6:30 p.m. today at Friendswood High School in a 3A bi-district contest. Coldspring (16-3) is the runner-up out of District 23-3A.

    The Pirates begin their playoff journey Friday when they face Lumberton at 7 p.m. at Warren High School. Shepherd (13-13) tied for third with Hamshire-Fannett, but is the No. 4 playoff seed out of 21-4A.

    The Trojans and Pirates are both limping into the postseason. Coldspring lost two of its last three contests, including a 58-54 setback at the hands of Anderson-Shiro in last week's regular season finale.

    Shepherd has lost three in a row, including a 65-40 defeat against district co-champion Huffman Hargrave in last week's regular season finale. Bradley Davis and Dillen Johnson led the Pirates with 13 and 10 points, respectively.

                                   JASON CHLAPEK | SJNT Coldspring-Oakhurst guard Jared Curry (left) and Shepherd guard Christian Castillo chase down a loose ball during a game between the Trojans and Pirates earlier this season. 

  • Wildcats play for district lead Friday (VIDEO)

    IMG 3417BRIAN BESCH | PCE Michael Hamilton led all scores with 14 Tuesday night.

    By Brian Besch

    A stifling defense made for easy offense as Big Sandy breezed past Spurger 83-13 Tuesday. Turnovers gave the game the look of a layup drill at times, as the Wildcats led by 17 after the first quarter and 33 at the half.

    Nearly at full strength, the Wildcats were too much for Spurger. The Pirates’ best quarter was in the first, scoring five points. Meanwhile the Big Sandy attack never amassed fewer than 19 points in a period.

    “We’ve got nearly everybody back,” Wildcat coach Kevin Foster said with a bit of relief. “We went on a stretch from Thanksgiving until Dec. 28 where we constantly had two or three guys out. We've played a lot of bigger schools, so it has been tough on us. I kept telling the kids that it will prepare us for the long run, even though we are taking our lumps now.”

    The ‘Cats spread the wealth, with each of the eight players scoring at least four points. Michael Hamilton was tops amongst them with 14. Elias Bullock scored 13, Kaden Foster and Josi Celestine both had a dozen, and Adrian Thompson had 10.

    “The last few games we have really worked on getting the ball up and we go through stretches where we struggle to score,” Foster said. “We need to get into our offense quicker and really transition and fast-breaking. We have done a better job of that as of late. I feel like the one thing that we've done well for the past couple of games is defend. We’ve also rebounded well all year long.”

    Much the same as the girls, Foster believes Friday's game at West Sabine will be in an important one for his Wildcats. The two schools were projected by many to finish first and second in the district.

    “It is going to be a challenging and difficult game, but that's what makes it fun,” the coach said. “I told the kids that we will be focused these next two days in practice to get ready to play. They probably have the best individual player in the district. He has started for them since he was a freshman and is a junior now. They have some good athletes and we are looking forward to it.”