With District 22-1A action beginning Friday night, the Timpson Bears were in much need of a positive look. They received what they needed on Tuesday night as Lorenzo Young poured in 26 points and Jaylin Rhodes added 20 in the Bears' 55-38 victory over Neches in Herbert Eakin Gymnasium in Timpson.
The win snapped a four-game losing skid dating back to Dec. 8 and comes with league play opening Friday night at home against Shelbyville. The Bears, who are only 4-13 on the season, will tip off district play at home against Shelbyville (3-10). The junior varsity boys will get underway on Friday at 5:30 p.m., followed by the varsity girls at 6:30 p.m. and varsity boys at 8 p.m.
In other District 22-1A openers on Friday, Beckville (1-11) will visit Gary (10-9) and Garrison (1-3) will host No.4-ranked Tenaha (7-3). Tuesday's matchups will feature Timpson visiting Tenaha, while Beckville hosts Shelbyville and Garrison visits Gary.
In addition to the double-digit scoring of Young and Rhodes, Terrance Brown and Jay Bussey each scored four points against Neches, while John Jacobs chipped in one point.
The Bears started slow, but finished fast. THS trailed 12-8 at the end of the initial period, then cut the lead slightly to 26-23 at the break.
Timpson then clamped down on the defensive end in the second half, limiting Neches to just six points in each of the final two periods. Meanwhile, on the offensive end, the Bears poured in 12 and 20 points, respectively, in the final two quarters to roll to the win.
"I was proud of our defensive intensity in the second half," said Timpson head coach Cody Anthony later. "We really controlled the tempo with our press and got some real easy baskets out of it.
"We needed a win going into district and I'm very pleased how we responded. Having momentum and confidence is very importance at this time of the year."
Timpson JV 30, Neches JV 26 -- Terrance Garrett scored 10 points and Gavin Pierce added eight more as the Bears' junior varsity edged Neches, 30-26.
Shakur Johnson added six points to the Timpson offense, while DeKendrick Hooper chipped in five and Alberto Cuero scored one point.
The Bears took an 11-7 at the end of the first quarter, but Neches pulled to within 19-18 at the break. Timpson was then able to hold on in the second half to take the win.
After Friday night's game against Shelbyville, the Bears' junior varsity will play in the Gary Junior Varsity Tournament on Saturday, matching up against Waskom at 12-noon.