Surging Stangs top Snyder 40-27
SNYDER — Since a two-point loss to Estacado dropped them to 0-4 in District 5-4A, the Sweetwater boys have ripped off three wins in a row to get back in the playoff hunt.
Snyder became the latest victim Friday, losing 40-27 to fall to 5-2 in district and get denied a share of the 5-4A lead with Estacado, after the Matadors (6-1) lost for the first time Friday. Levelland (4-3) held on to third place with a 54-52 win to also stay one game ahead of Sweetwater (3-4). The Mustangs, who with their win kept a one-game lead over Big Spring (2-5), host the Steers Tuesday and can assure themselves by beating the Steers of a tie for the No. 4 playoff spot. The Mustangs play their final home game this Friday vs. Estacado, and then go to San Angelo Lake View (1-6) to end district play Feb. 14.
Sweetwater led from the start vs. Snyder, scoring the first nine points but leading just 9-7 after the first quarter. That’s as close as Snyder got. The Mustangs led 20-11 at intermission and a 12-0 start to the third quarter blew the game open.
Sweetwater’s biggest lead was 36-13 after a pair of free throws by Stason Hernandez later in the third period. Snyder limited Sweetwater to just four points the rest of the way, but the Mustangs had a double digit lead of at least 12 points in the fourth and final period.
Malik Brown had 13 points the first half, two more than Estacado, and had 20 by the end to lead all scorers, his second game of 20 or more points in as many nights.
No other Sweetwater player hit double figures, but the defense by the Mustangs was so good that it didn’t matter. Snyder’s 27 points were the fewest the Mustangs have allowed in District 5-4A play, and they also avenged a 40-38 loss at home to Snyder on Jan. 17.
Sweetwater is 20-10 overall.
Plowboys get second straight win in 8-2A by beating Blizzards
The Roscoe boys improved to 3-4 in District 8-2A to keep playoff hopes alive with a 35-29 road win at Winters on Friday.
Roscoe held leads of 9-8, 17-12 and 23-15 at the quarter breaks and held on after being outscored 14-12 by Winters in the final quarter. Parker Gleaton had 13 points and Richie Solis 10 for Roscoe, which attempted 26 free throws and hit 16 to overcome a three-point deficit from the field.
Roscoe will host Bangs Tuesday before ending its 8-2A schedule by going to Coleman this Friday and playing host to Miles in the regular season finale Feb. 14.