Goals still attainable

John Mendoza tries to dribble past a Pirate defender.

By Brian Besch
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Leggett basketball kept their chances for a district title alive with a 69-35 victory over rival Goodrich Tuesday on the south side of Polk County.

A hot start and plenty of defense gave Leggett an advantage they would keep throughout the contest. The Pirates’ 3-2 zone was too much for the young Hornets early. A 16-0 start for Leggett was mostly off turnovers, taking steal after steal for uncontested layups at the other end. 

“I didn’t have to do much but sit on the bench and let them play,” Terri Barlow said of coaching the boys in place of Ra’Shod Jefferson Tuesday. “They already know what to do, but we have to tighten up and not let our man dribble out up top. We have to put pressure on the ball. Their big man stepped out in the fourth quarter and if we put a little pressure on him, he will turn it over.”

Leggett accumulated 25 points in the opening period, but Goodrich stopped the bleeding in the second, battling their rivals to a 14-14 draw in that quarter. Yet, the Pirates began the second half much like the first, with an 18-4 run that effectively ended the competition.

“They have taken to the zone and don’t do a whole lot of press,” Barlow said. “We go to Brookeland next week and it will take determination. To me, they weren’t in the game (in the first round versus Brookeland) and weren’t playing strong.”

Leggett is in second place by a game, and a win next week over Brookeland would pull the two squads even.

Joshua Perkins was high point with 28 and Jace Railey had 17. For the Hornets, freshman Saul Guzman had 10, and John Mendoza and freshman Marquis Robinson had eight each.

Goodrich coach Lester King likes the team that is beginning to form from the baby bees. The team lacks experience, but has plenty of hustle and shows flashes of putting it together at times. There are no seniors and three freshmen on the team of eight.

“I have been told by other coaches that we are playing better team ball,” King said. “Leggett didn’t put 100 on us (as they did in the first round). We didn’t have anybody out there just jacking (shots). We are going to keep playing team ball, and like I tell them, if they will get in the gym and work this summer, we will be a much better team. In two quarters, we scored with them. In the fourth quarter, they outscored us 12-10 and in the second quarter it was 14-14. We just have to be more aggressive. We might slip up on somebody before this district is over.” 

Leggett has a game versus Zavala Friday, and will need to keep focused, because Tuesday’s match for the district lead with Brookeland will mean nothing if the Pirates do not take care of the Eagles beforehand.