Yates earns return engagement to Austin

HUNTSVILLE — With the last few seconds ticking down, players on the Yates bench began jumping in excitement while their outnumbered fans made the loudest roar.

The Lions advanced to the boys state basketball tournament for the fifth time in the past six years after riding a strong second half to a 103-86 victory over Navasota on Saturday in the Class 3A Region III final at Sam Houston State University.

“We were real focused and determined to get back to this spot,” Yates coach Greg Wise said. “We fixed a hard schedule this season to help prepare ourselves for the playoffs.

“We haven’t lost to anybody other than a nationally ranked team. I think that really got us prepared.”

Lewis wins MVP

Senior guard Damion Lewis was named the game’s MVP after scoring a game-high 25 points.

“It’s a real honor,” Lewis said. “I’m feeling real humble right now.”

Yates (21-8) had a 56-50 lead at halftime. Wise, who noticed Navasota (27-4) didn’t warm up when it came out for the third quarter, used that as an advantage. Yates built its lead to as many as 20 points by employing full-court pressure, which forced several turnovers and easy buckets in transition.

“If we continued to pressure for four quarters, I knew it’d eventually take its toll if we did it the right way,” Wise said.

Both teams played at a fast, up-tempo pace in the first half, with neither able to pull away. Yates opened up an early double-digit lead, but Navasota and junior guard Jerbrell Lipscomb, who finished with a team-high 24 points, responded by forcing turnovers and getting points in transition during a 13-2 run.

Two wins from title

Lewis said the Lions stuck to their game plan and ultimately succeeded with their run-and-gun tempo.

Wise said teams will have to be on their “A” game against Yates at state in Austin.

“We got two games to try and get (the title),” he said. “If they want to beat us, they’re going to have really play well.”