Hawks lose; Redwater, Hooks post wins

LONGVIEW, Texas — Pleasant Grove made an early exit in the Class 4A boys bi-district basketball playoffs as the Hawks fell to Mabank, 68-50, Tuesday night in Longview’s Lobo Coliseum.

Pleasant Grove senior Torion Phillips pumped in 25 points in his final high school game.

“It’s always tough when the season is over because, unfortunately, you lose seniors to graduation,” said Hawks coach Craig Collvins. “We’ve had three guys that played their last game for us that really made this season special for us: Torion Phillips, Jackson Gibson and Justin Casteel.”

Mabank (25-6) took an early lead on Pleasant Grove.

“Mabank has a great inside out game and we got behind early and tried to play catch up.,” Collvins said. “When we’d cut into it they’d hit another big shot.”

Pleasant Grove, the fourth-place finisher in 15-4A, closes its season with a 14-12 mark.

“As a coach you always hate to lose but I’m really proud of our kids this season and looking forward to seeing what our returners can be next year,” Collvins said.

Mabank, the District 13-3A champion, will face Dallas Lincoln in the area round of the playoffs.

REDWATER 57, MINEOLA 55

MARSHALL, Texas — Redwater erased a 7-point halftime deficit by going on a 14-0 third quarter run and the Dragon defense shut down Mineola in a 57-55 victory for the Bowie County school.

Redwater had a precarious 57-55 lead with about 10 seconds left and the Yellowjackets had the ball.

But the Dragon defense didn’t allow Mineola to score, preserving the Class 3A bi-district victory.

“Out defense held them. To me our defense was the determining factor why we ended up winning,” said Redwater coach David Reeves. “The guys really turned up the defensive pressure in the second half.”

Redwater (22-10) was ignited by Marquez Jones with 18 points, 4 boards and 4 assists,, Crowell added 14 points and 11 boards and Caden Mcclain had 11 points, 4 boards and 5 assists.

The Dragons ended a long drought this year.

“This is the first time in 30-plus years that Redwater has made backto-back playoff appearances,” coach Reeves said. “And it’s the first time in 30-plus years that we are bi-district champions.”

The Dragons, fourth-place finisher in District 14-3A, advances to the area round against Tatum (23-8) at 8 p.m. Friday in Pittsburg High School’s gymnasium.

Tatum is the District 13-3A champion.

HOOKS 92, MOUNT VERNON 40

PITTSBURG, Texas — Hooks, Class 3A’s fifth-ranked team in the state, played its entire varsity in posting a lopsided 92-40 victory over outmanned Mount Vernon.

The Hornets (29-1) had 10 players to score in big-district round at Pittsburg’s Jack Arnwine Gym.

Four Hornets finished in double figures, with Ranson Jones leading the way with 16 points, followed by Carveion Johnson with 15, Keyshawn Walls with 12 and RK Minter with 10.

Other Hooks scorers were: Rod Bailey: 9 points), Boogie Johnson (8), Emmanuel Baird (7), Kaeden Lichty (6), Romeo Minter (5) and Fabean Grigsby (4).

“It was a good win for us. I thought we played well defensively and forced some turnovers,” said Hornets coach Michael Jackson. “We did a good job of running the floor and sharing the

ball as well. Overall, it was a good night for us.”

Hooks advances to the area round against Daingerfield (9-8) at 7 p.m. Friday at Mount Pleasant High School.

The Hornets’ only loss this year was a 58-56 decision to No. 4 Mount Pleasant Chapel Hill (331), 58-56.

Hooks reached the state tournment last season, falling to eventual champion Hitchcock in the semifinals.

The Hornets look to continue solid play.

WINNSBORO 62, ATLANTA 47

HUGHES SPRINGS, Texas — Will Wilcox and Wyatt Sechrist pumped in 18 points each in Winnsboro’s 62-47 win over Atlanta in Tuesday’s bi-district contest at Hughes Springs..

Atlanta (21-13), the District 14-3A runner-up, closes its season with a 21-13 record.

Winnsboro advances to the area round against Gladewater Sabine (23-9) at 7 p.m. Thursday at Longview’s Lobo Coliseum.

CHAPEL HILL 83, NEW BOSTON 46

PITTSBURG, Texas — New Boston had the unpleasant task of facing No. 4 Mount Pleasant Chapel Hill in the first round of the Class 3A boys basketball playoffs.

The talented Red Devils (33-1) rolled to an 83-46 win over the Lions.

New Boston closes its season with a 10-16 record.

MCLEOD SETS AREA

MCLEOD, Texas — The Longhorns (34-3) will face San Augustine in the area round of the Class 2A basketball playoffs.

The two teams will collide at 7 p.m. Friday at Longview’s Lobo Coliseum.

“The only way it will change is if there’s a team in desperate need of place to play, then it will be doubleheader,” said Longhorns coach Steven Lambeth.

San Augustine (20-8) defeated Garrison, 76-43, in bi-district action.