SOUR LAKE — How quickly a game can change … and change again.

A 13-0 lead Nederland built in the first 4 minutes evaporated, but Hayden Hefner, Jonathan Rayford and Shafin Momin were not ready for the Bulldogs’ winning streak to end.

Rayford keyed a 12-0 run going into the fourth quarter, and Nederland kept its distance from Hardin-Jefferson the rest of the way for a 54-41 win in Saturday’s championship game of the H-J Basketball Marathon. The win is Nederland’s 12^th straight and marks its third time in four years to win the tournament.

Hefner was named tournament MVP after scoring 15 points in the final.

“Really, I don’t think I performed that well over the week,” the sophomore and University of Houston recruit said. “I think either Jon or Cade [Smith] should have gotten MVP. It’s really cool to get it.”

Cade Smith, Rayford and Hefner were named to the all-tournament team. Smith played a big part in Nederland’s Marathon run with his three-point shooting prowess.

Rayford netted 10 of his 14 points during the crucial run, and Momin had six of his 11 points in the final 4:36.

Nederland avenged a 69-61 loss at H-J last month. Momin said the intensity of the rematch helped him and the Bulldogs step up.

“We really wanted to win one for Nederland,” the senior forward said. “We put in hard work all day and prepared for this, and it’s pretty intense. It’s really a good atmosphere to play in.”

Try working hard for six games in three days. That’s how many games the Bulldogs and other Marathon teams played, hence the tournament name.

“It’s insane,” Momin said. “It’s mind-boggling the work that we put in. I’m glad I’m part of this team.”

Smith, who sank nine treys in two games Thursday, powered the Bulldogs with a pair of three-pointers during the 13-0 start, but Darius Johnson helped the junior-led Hawks (14-4) with 14 first-half points, aiding a 12-0 tear that gave them their first lead at 21-20 on one of his four three-point baskets with 3:18 left before halftime.

Nederland took back the lead at 23-21 on a Momin three-pointer, ending a 6-minute scoring drought, and went into halftime ahead 26-25.

H-J last led 30-28. Then with 4:38 left in the third, Rayford began the Bulldogs’ key rally scoring three straight baskets, two of them off turnovers. Hefner provided the highlight of the evening during the spurt with a two-hand jam.

“Coach [Chris] Smith told me to change the speed and pressure,” Rayford said, mentioning one of the Bulldogs’ assistant coaches. “We needed ball pressure. That’s what it was.”

The Hawks pulled within no closer than 42-35. Johnson led them with 16 points, followed by Jalen Sneed with eight points.

Nederland got to the championship game with a 53-43 win over Little Cypress-Mauriceville earlier Saturday. Logan Foster and Hefner each scored 12 points in the win.

 

PNG DROPS PAIR

Also at H-J, Port Neches-Groves’ Saturday did not go well as the Indians dropped their third and fourth games in a row.

In their early game, Tyler Chapel Hill took a 72-69 win after Edsel Damo’s three-point shot at the buzzer did not fall. Drake Rojas led PNG (6-9) with 20 points, followed by Tracy Smith with 15 and Trent Lee with 11.

PNG and Chapel Hill were even at 13-all in the first quarter, and then Chapel Hill led 35-29 at halftime.

Later Saturday, Aransas Pass beat PNG 70-48 despite 14 points each for Damo and Lee. Damo was named to the all-tournament team.

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I.C. Murrell: 549-8541. Twitter: @ICMurrellPANews