Area high schools facing key games

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Area high schools facing key games

By Cody Pastorella

The Port Arthur News

Some very important games take place this week, as the area district races start to heat up for both girl’s and boy’s basketball.

Tonight, when District 21-5A leading Kingwood rolls into Port Arthur, Memorial boy’s will try to take a share of first place, or keep a share of second place, by beating the Mustangs, who are currently 3-0 in league play.

The Titans are 2-1 in the district after holding Atascocita 60-57 on the road Friday night, and head coach Terrul Henderson says his players were excited about that win and are looking forward to tonight’s contest.

Henderson said the approach to this game is just like any other but he says his Titans are definitely ready for the competition.

“We’ve played some of the same teams they have faced and we know what to expect from them,†he said. “It’s a long district race so we’re looking at this game just like any other.â€

Henderson said the key for victory is for the Titans to play hard on both ends of the floor for the full 32 minutes.

“If we do that,†he said, “we will be in great shape.â€

After tonight’s game, Memorial travels to district bottom feeder, Baytown Lee. If Port Arthur beats Kingwood, and assuming the Titans handle Lee, Memorial would be in great shape going into next week’s matchup with West Brook.

Beating the Mustangs would have the Titans and Kingwood in at least second place at 3-1. Humble, who is at 3-0 and currently tied for first with Kingwood, draws two, tough opponents this week. The Wildcats host Atascocita tonight and then travels to Kingwood Friday.

If the Titans win both their games this week, it is most likley that they will be tied at first place, at 4-1, with either Humble or Kingwood.

In District 22-4A, the Nederland Bulldogs look to make a move to second place this week. After beating Little Cypress-Mauriceville on Friday (highlighted by 30-points from Chris Hammond), Nederland plays host to Dayton tonight and then travels to Lumberton Friday night.

Dayton is still a team with a lot questions and its 4-10 overall record and 1-2 district record is hardly a strong representation of what this team is capable of.

The biggest reason for the Broncos shady record was caused by football season. Now that football is over, Dayton is fully armed and considerably a deeper threat.

But if the Dogs roll up two victories this week, they would likely be in a two-way tie for second place with either No. 4 Ozen or Central, pending the outcome of the Beaumont bash on Friday night when the Panthers travel to play the Jaguars.

Both Ozen and Central are 3-0 in district play.