MBB: No.2 Tigers claim fifth at own tourney
defender at the Third Annual Tenaha Holiday Hoops Classic. Mitchell
scored seven points in the fifth-place game against San Augustine.
(Photo by John Krueger)
TENAHA, Tx -- After getting a late start to the season because of a prolonged football season, the No.2-ranked Tenaha Tigers received some much-needed court time this past week as they tried to 'basketball mode' the Tigers won 3-of-4 contests, including Thursday night's 56-43 victory over San Augustine to place fifth in the Third Annual Tenaha Holiday Hoops Scholarship Classic.
No.2-ranked (Class 2A) White Oak captured the championship of the tourney by holding off No.2-ranked (1A D-II) Laneville, 70-62. No.24-ranked (2A) Central Heights claimed third with a 39-31 win over No.3 (2A) Edgewood, and Saltillo won the Consolation bracket with a 55-39 decision over No.18 (1A D-II) over Lipan.
In the Tigers' tournament finale against San Augustine, Tenaha held a two-point first-quarter lead and then widened the advantage to 25-20 at the half before pulling away in the third quarter. In that decisive third period Reginald Davis scored nine of his team's 19 points as the Tigers outscored the Wolves 19-4 to open up a commanding 44-24 lead.
Keontas Davis came off the bench to score 12 points for Tenaha. Eight of his points came in the middle two quarters. Octavius Griffith scored five first-quarter points and finished with 10, while DeAaron Roland chipped in eight points and Shaquille Mitchell dumped in seven. Jacoby Ivy scored three points for THS, which improved to 5-1 on the year with the win.
San Augustine had balanced scoring, with Taylor scoring nine points and Jarvis Smith and Al Horton each dumping in eight points. Jeremy Jenkins knocked down six points, while Ja'Quadron Thomas and Jacortnery Thomas each pitched in three points. Dezmond Randle also scored three points.
"We're still trying to get our 'basketball legs' under us, so with the short time we have until district play starts (Jan. 13), playing games right now is the best way to play our way into shape," said Tenaha head coach Todd Bodden.
"This tournament has been tough because of our lack of practice time, but now that it's over we'll get back in a routine next week and I think that's what the kids need right now because we've got a lot of work to do."
The Wolves struggled at the free throw line, hitting just 5-of-15 (33.3%), while Tenaha was 4-of-8 (50%).
THIRD ANNUAL HOLIDAY HOOPS
Thursday's Boys Finals
THURSDAY, DEC. 30
Championship
#2 White Oak 70, #2 Laneville 62
Third Place Game
#24 Central Heights 39, #3 Edgewood 31
Fifth-Place Game
#2 Tenaha 56, San Augustine 43
Consolation Bracket
Leggett 62, Mount Enterprise 33
Elysian Fields 43, Garrison 24
Consolation Championship
Saltillo 55, #18 Lipan 39
Fifth-Place Bracket
Kountze DEFEATED Chireno