BASK: Mexia shocks Center, 69-61
Mexia's Jeff Proctor during action Friday night in the Vivian and
Bob Smith Event Center. Center fell from the playoffs, 69-61.
(Photo by John Krueger)
JACKSONVILLE -- When Center guard Ty Hubbard made a no-look pass to Jaelyn Short for a layup with 2:47 remaining in the third quarter Friday night here in the Vivian and Bob Smith Event Center, the Roughriders appeared to be well on their way to a berth in the regional quarterfinal contest as they led the Mexia Blackcats 49-32.
But the contest was a long way from being over as Mexia outscored Center 37-12 over the final 10:27 - including 31-10 in the fourth quarter - to stun the 'Riders, 69-61 in this Class 3A Region III Area contest at Lon Morris College.
Mexia (25-7) will move on to face the winner of Friday night's Fairfield-Bullard game in the regional quarterfinals. Center, which had its 17-game winning streak snapped with the season ending loss, dropped to 21-7 on the season as the Roughriders suffered their first loss since Dec. 27.
The contest was physical from the outset, but the Blackcats stayed in the game with tenacious rebounding, hitting the offensive boards hard. But Center met the challenge through most of the first three quarters as they Roughriders kept the Mexia crowd out of the contest and the Blackcats from putting together much momentum.
"We did a good job of establishing ourselves early and keeping the momentum on our side," said Center Head Coach Hiram Harrison. Our kids did a great job of hanging in there and battling with them on the boards."
With the score tied 10-10 with 3:19 left in the opening period, Center went on a 9-2 run to end the quarter to take a 19-12 lead. Jonathan Taldo, who scored 12 points, scored five points during the run, while Ty Hubbard (10 points) added a 3-pointer.
Both teams scored 14 points in the second quarter, but the 'Riders played good position defense, forcing four first-half charging fouls as CHS led 33-26 at the break.
"I thought we were in good shape at halftime, but I knew the game was a long way from being over," Harrison explained. "Mexia has a good team and they kept working hard on the boards and then they started to hit a few outside shots that got them going."
Until then, Center continued to mount a lead in the early portions of the third period. Damian Bolton (16 points) hit a pair of short jumpers and added a field goal and Michael Cloudy (10 points) a 2-pointer and a trey as Center widened the lead to 47-32 with a 14-6 run over the first 4:31 of the quarter.
That was the beginning of the end for the Roughriders.
Trae Davis (13 points) hit a 3-pointer to finish the third as the Blackcats cut the lead to 51-38 entering the fourth.
Bolton and Taldo each hit a field goal in the first 4:53 minutes of the final stanza, but the rest of the squad went silent as Mexia went on a 18-4 run to take its first lead with 3:16 remaining when Mister Carroll 13 points) hit two free throws for a 56-55 lead.
The teams traded the lead and then D.J. Williams hit a three to give the Blackcats a 61-59 lead with 1:24 on the clock. Bolton tied the score at 61-61 with a pair of free throws with 1:09 remaining, but that would be the final points for Center.
Davis hit a shot in the paint with 49 seconds remaining and Ahnre' Gray (20 points) scored a layup after a Center turnover. MHS would score two more field goals to end the scoring.
Center finished the fourth quarter with 11 turnovers, which primarily did the 'Riders in.
"We committed three turnovers in a row early in the fourth quarter and then they got hot and we couldn't shut it off," Harrison said.
STATS AT A GLANCE
Scoring by Quarters
Mexia 12 14 12 31 = 69
Center 19 14 18 10 = 61
Individual Scoring: Mexia - Ahnre Gray 20; D.J. Weathers 13; Mister Carroll 13; Trae Davis 13; D.J. Williams 6; Leon Gray 2. Center - Damian Bolton 16; Jonathan Taldo 12; Ty Hubbard 10; Michael Cloudy 10; Jalen Hubbard 5; Se'Ryan Netherly 3; Jaelyn Short 3.
Turnovers: Mexia 21; Center 20.
Records: Mexia 25-7; Center 21-7.
Next Up: Mexia will meet the winner of Fairfield-Bullard in the Regional Quarterfinal Round Monday night. The loss ends the season for Center.