No. 2 Yates’ hopes fade as 3 players foul out
No. 2 Yates was right there.
Then its top three players all went away.
The Lions, who trailed by double digits much of the game, pulled within two points in the fourth quarter before 7-foot center Chuks Isitua fouled out, followed closely by Latrell Moore and Tyron Bailey — and the Lions’ hopes of completing a comeback against Silsbee in the Class 4A area playoffs ended.
With the trio watching helplessly, unranked Silsbee rolled 99-84 Friday at Dayton.
And for the second consecutive season, the COVID-19 pandemic played a pivotal role in the Lions’ derailment. After they beat Sealy in the bi-district round, a Sealy player tested positive for the coronavirus, forcing the Lions to forego practice for nearly a week of energy-sapping quarantine testing.
Last year, after Yates won Region III-4A, the UIL canceled the state tourney.
“It’s crazy,” Yates coach Greg Wise said. “Last year, we didn’t get to play at state because of the virus, and this year we have to sit five days because of it.”
With the win, Silsbee (16-11) advanced to face Wharton in the regional quarters.
Isitua scored 12 of his team-high 18 points in the third to keep the Lions within striking distance, 69-62, after three. Then Brodrick Brown drained a 3-pointer and M arquise Sattiewhite hit a layup off an inbound to start the fourth, pulling them within 69-67 with 6:46 to go — plenty of time for Yates.
But Isitua fouled Dre’lon Miller on the other end, and Miller completed the 3-point play that ended Isitua’s night.
Moore fouled out 45 seconds later, and Bailey drew his fifth foul with 3:03 left.
“That’s when they’re normally revving it up, and instead they made tired fouls,” Wise lamented.
Silsbee sealed the win with a 13-0 run for a 91-75 lead with 2:19 showing.
Isitua, Moore (15 points) and Bailey (13), Yates’ leading scorers entering the fourth, went scoreless in the final quarter.
Brown added 13 points, and Kasyn Alexander had 10.
Jared Harris led Silsbee with 24 points, all in the first three quarters. Shan Gilder Jr. had 19, Miller scored 18, and Raymond Baltrip added 16.
Oddly, both teams shot 50 percent from the field — Yates was 34-of-68 and Silsbee 40-of-80 — sank 12 free throws and collected 47 rebounds. But Silsbee hit six more shots and three more 3-pointers (7-4).
Katy Paetow makes history
Katy Paetow’s historical season continued Friday night.
The Panthers defeated Kingwood Park 42-39 in a Region III-5A regional quarterfinal playoff game in Tomball.
Paetow (22-1) advances to the Region III-5A tourney for the first time.
Kingwood Park was in the regional quarterfinals for the first time since the 2011-2012 campaign.
K-Park finishes the season 25-4.
There was a lot of offense in the game, but Paetow’s Brian McKnight knocked down two free throws with 3 seconds left to seal the win for Paetow.
Charles Chukwu led Paetow with 15 points and was dominant in the paint, getting rebounds and blocking shots.
Jack Keller led Kingwood Park with 11 points.
Cy-Fair clashes on the agenda
Cy-Fair ISD players better be ready Saturday.
The Region II-6A quarterfinals feature a pair of CyFair showdowns, with district champ Cypress Woods (21-3) taking on fourth-place Cy Lakes (12-12), and secondseeded Cy Ranch (23-5) colliding with Cy Park (19-5).
Cy Woods won 16-6A with a 13-1 mark. Its only district loss was to Cy Park, 62-41.
The Wildcats ousted Klein Oak and The Woodlands in the first two rounds, hanging on to beat the Highlanders 39-37.
In Region III-6A, Shadow Creek-Summer Creek should deliver fireworks.
The sixth-ranked Sharks (22-2) narrowly escaped with a 79-76 win over Summer Creek at home.
“Normally, we don’t let teams get out in the beginning because we’re in sync and ready to play,” Wise said. “So when we make a run that gives us a lead. And (Friday), when we made that run to catch up, that’s normally when we’re in in shape to carry it further. But when you don’t play for five days, you’re not ready.”