Tigers bounce Pirates, 62-53

TEXARKANA, Texas — Texas High regained its early lead in the second quarter and never allowed Pine Tree back in the game.

The Tigers finished shooting 44 percent from the floor and converted 10-of-16 free throws in the fourth quarter to secure a 62-53 win over the Pirates Tuesday at Tiger Center.

Texas High (8-10, 2-2) hit on 21-of-48 field goals during the District 15-5A boys basketball game and held a slight advantage in rebounds (3533). The Tigers committed 22 turnovers — eight in the fourth period — compared to 19 by Pine Tree.

The Pirates (7-15, 0-5) shot 40 percent on 22-of-55 shots.

The Tigers opened the second half with a 7-point run to build a double-digit lead (3727), and the margin remained at the end of the third quarter, Texas High taking a 44-34 lead into the fourth.

The Tigers’ lead was as many as 13 points in the fourth, and they led by 12 twice. Pine Tree never came closer than seven points the rest of the way.

Xavier Dangerfield led Texas High with 19 points, and Damon Augustus added 17. Jakholbe Johnson scored nine points, and Michael Thomas pulled down eight rebounds. Dangerfield and Augustus also had six boards each.

Darius Gray led Pine Tree with 20 points, Dealyn Evans scored 16 and also had a team-leading 10 rebounds.

The Pirates grabbed the momentum midway through the first quarter and closed the opening period with an 11-0 run to take a 16-8 lead into the first break.

Texas High flipped the table on Pine Tree in the second, opening with a 10-0 run and building a 5-point lead after starting the second on a 14-1 run. Three times the Pirates cut their deficit to a point, but the Tigers continued to have the answer to retain the lead and head into halftime up 30-27.

THS shot 46 percent (11-of24) before intermission, and the Pirates shot 44 percent (11-of-25).

The Tigers won the junior varsity game, 57-46. Dee Hannah (16 points) and Jadyn Willis (15) combined for 31 points for THS, and Jason Hubbard added nine points.

Texas High won the freshmen game, 66-20. David Potter led the way with 14 points for the Tigers, Alex Orr chipped in with 13 points, and Zaydrian Clark had nine.