Looking to finish up the first round of district play unbeaten, the 17th-ranked Westwood boys’ basketball team made it look easy Friday.
The Panthers rolled past visiting Woden, 61-33, in a game that was only close for the first few minutes before Westwood turned it on and pulled away.
The visiting Eagles actually led early on, as Westwood struggled to find its touch from the field. The Panthers missed their first six shots before Chris Thompson hit a baseline jumper to finally get the Panthers on the board.
From there, the flood gates opened, and it was Dra Ross who opened them.
After missing his first four attempts from the field, the senior post dominated for the remainder of the second half.
Ross hit six-straight shots to end the half, and when the Panthers took a 32-14 lead into halftime, he had almost as many points (12) as Westwood’s visitors.
He also pulled down seven rebounds in the first half alone en route to a monster double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds.
The stifling Westwood defense never allowed Woden to score more than 11 points in a quarter, and that 11 came in the fourth when the Panthers had emptied their bench. Prior, Woden’s highest-scoring frame was eight points in both the first and third quarters.
Besides Ross, Westwood got 11 points each from L.J. Hutchison and Chris Thompson, with Thompson also pulling down seven rebounds.
Both J.J. Turner and Damontrey House had four, with Sam Carlisle and Darian Walker each pitching in three.
Even La’Rodney Brown got in on the act, as the senior scored two points, as did Jacobee Newton.
The win keeps Westwood one game ahead of Crockett for the district lead, after the Bulldogs beat Elkhart, 85-78 Friday. That loss dropped Elkhart to 4-2 in league play, and that trio of teams currently occupy 19-2A’s three playoff spots.
Westwood (16-8, 6-0) travels to Groveton Tuesday for games beginning at 5 p.m., before hitting the road to Elkhart Friday.
CAYUGA 95, Wortham 46
The sixth-ranked Cayuga boys’ basketball team got big nights from Chandler Rigdon and star Preston Anderson, rolling to a 95-46 win over Wortham Friday.
Rigdon had a team-high 26 for the Wildcats, while Anderson added 23. Cayuga also got 15 from Deon Shofner in the victory.
Both Brayden Walthal and Don Holly finished with seven points for Cayuga (17-6, 3-0), while Trayce Howard had five.
The Wildcats host Kerens Tuesday in a battle of teams unbeaten in district play. Games begin at 5 p.m.
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Sports editor Justin Rains can be reached via email at jrains@palestineherald.com
Local Sports
H.S. Boys Basketball: Westwood wraps up perfect 1st round of district with blowout
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H.S. Athletics: Holden named new Cayuga ISD athletic director
It took just over a month for Cayuga ISD to find their new athletic director.
In a school board meeting Monday, the Cayuga school board hired current CHS assistant coach Russell Holden as its new athletic director and head football coach.
Holden, who has been on the staff at Cayuga for five years, will replace Greg Jenkins, who after three years at the helm is leaving for Tenaha. -
Middle School Athletics: Palestine selects March, April 'Character Athletes'
The Palestine Junior High girls athletic program released their Character Athletes of the Month for both March and April recently.
Eighth graders Annalise Meyers (March) and Josie Soehnge (April), and seventh graders Madison Oliva (March) and Ashley Middleton were honored with the awards, which go to student athletes that lead not only on the field or court, but also in the classroom. -
H.S. Softball Playoffs: Grapeland scores early and often in semifinal clincher
Just like in game one, the Grapeland Sandiettes jumped out to a big lead during Saturday's decisive Game 3 against the Joaquin.
The only difference is this time the Sandiettes never let off the gas on their way to a dominant 12-2 win over the Lady Rams in the do-or-die regional semifinal game.
With the win, Grapeland moves on to its third regional final in four years, where they will take on Beckville. It’s the third-straight year the teams will meet in the postseason. -
H.S. Baseball Playoffs: Elkhart eases past Warren in Game 2
After needing three games to end its first two playoff series this postseason, the Elkhart baseball team made sure it didn’t happen a third time.
The Elks — who are seeking a second-straight trip to the state tournament — rolled past Warren Saturday, 6-0, at Lufkin’s Morris Franks Park. The win came a night after Elkhart topped the Warriors, 5-1, to open the series on Friday. -
H.S. Softball Playoffs: Grapeland, Joaquin split games Friday
It was a tale of two games during Friday's Regional Semifinal between the Grapeland Sandiettes and Joaquin Lady Rams. The Sandiettes and Lady Rams combined for 22 runs in the Sandiettes 12-10 win in Game 1.
Game 2 was a much different as the teams wouldn't combine for 20 hits, or even 10 runs as the Lady Rams picked up a 4-2 win.
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H.S. Football: Palestine's Owens leads strong class of area recruits
Palestine junior Jarrell Owens hasn’t ever played a significant down in a game for the Wildcats at linebacker in his football career.
Yet, the position is obviously where his future lies.
Owens is one of a handful of area juniors drawing significant college interest, and the Palestine running back/linebacker already holds an official offer from Texas Tech University. -
H.S. Baseball Playoffs: Harleton shuts down Cayuga in regional quarterfinal
In an as-expected pitcher’s duel, it took only one off inning to cost Cayuga and ace Chantz Holland.
Holland gave up four hits and hit a batter in the top of the third inning, and Harleton turned that into four runs — the only runs of the game — as Harleton topped Cayuga, 4-0, here at the Lindale ISD Baseball and Softball Complex in regional quarterfinal action. -
H.S. Baseball: Patchwork lineup still working for Cayuga
The Cayuga baseball team that will take the field tonight against Harleton in the regional quarterfinals doesn’t look a lot like the Cayuga team that rolled through district play earlier this season.
Injuries have hampered the look of the Wildcat lineup, but Cayuga still finds itself into the playoffs’ third round for yet another season. -
H.S. Softball: Grapeland going strong into regional semifinals
It’s been relatively easy-going so far in the state softball playoffs for the Grapeland softball team.
The Sandiettes have lost only once so far in the playoffs, and that came thanks a forfeit in the area round against Avery, when Grapeland decided not to play rather than play without missing members at the state golf tournament. -
Local Roundup: Cayuga's Hughes named 19-A MVP
After a stellar regular season that saw them capture a district title, then a solid playoff run that ended with a regional quarterfinal loss to Grapeland, the Cayuga softball team showed well on the District 19-A all-district teams.
Cayuga star freshman pitcher Kimberly Hughes capped her stellar year by earning the district’s Most Valuable Player award. Joining Hughes in earning superlative honors was her battery-mate Maci Poland, who was named the league’s Defensive MVP. - More Local Sports Headlines
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