The News staff reports

VIDOR — It was only a matter of time before 5A fourth-ranked Port Arthur Memorial could gain separation on Vidor in Tuesday’s boys basketball game.

Memorial used a 21-9 second quarter to expand a 25-20 lead, and Thailan Wesley scored a team-high 21 points in the Titans’ 75-55 win, keeping them unbeaten in District 22-5A.

Vidor (14-13, 3-5) needed a win to tie Nederland for fourth place in the district, but the Pirates could not recover from a 46-29 halftime deficit.

Darion Chatman added 17 points for Memorial (21-5, 8-0), which has won 13 straight games.

The Titans will host Beaumont Central in a battle of the district’s top two teams Friday night. It will be the last regular-season meeting between the two schools, as Central will merge with Ozen for the start of the 2018-19 school year.

 

PNG 67, LIVINGSTON 26

PORT NECHES — Five Port Neches-Groves players scored in double figures Tuesday, and the Indians (12-16, 2-6 in 22-5A) averted a six-game losing streak with a convincing win over the Lions (3-24, 0-8).

The win kept the Indians three games behind Nederland for the fourth and final playoff spot from the district with six games remaining. They jumped on the Lions early, outscoring them 22-6 through 8 minutes and leading 30-11 at halftime.

Hunter Curtis and Edsel Damo each had 14 points, Khristian Curtis had 12, and Trent Lee and Brandon Petix each tallied 11.

Josh Staples led Livingston with six points.

PNG takes on Ozen in Beaumont on Friday.

 

CENTRAL 42, NEDERLAND 39

BEAUMONT — The rematch was much closer than the first meeting this season, but the Jaguars (16-7, 7-1 in 22-5A) again topped the Bulldogs (21-10, 4-4) to stay within a game of Memorial in 22-5A standings.

Nederland fell two games behind third-place Ozen, which beat Lumberton 56-51 Tuesday, but remains in fourth.

Shafin Momin scored 10 points for Nederland, which will host Lumberton on Friday.

 

WEST HARDIN 61, SABINE PASS 55

SARATOGA — The Sharks were within two points with 2:53 to go, but the Oilers wouldn’t let them win Tuesday night.

Daniel Sam’s and Harold James’ 24 points apiece, nearly accounting for all of Sabine Pass’ scoring, proved not enough.

West Hardin led 29-27 at halftime.

Sabine Pass (9-11, 1-2 in 24-2A) was trying to come back from a 51-point loss to Evadale, but now has to look to a home game against Deweyville on Friday to try and even their district record.

 

BRIDGE CITY 58, ORANGEFIELD 56, OT

BRIDGE CITY — Shortly after Alex Catt knocked down a three-point basket with 10 seconds to go, Chason Burch answered on the other end with his own three before the buzzer to give the Cardinals (9-13, 2-2 in 22-4A) a come-from-behind win over their next-door rival Bobcats (13-13, 0-4).

Hunter Wiegreffe’s 15 points and Max Baker’s 14 led the Cardinals, who trailed by 16 points at one point. Zach Dischler scored 15 to lead Orangefield.

Bob Hope’s home game against East Chambers was postponed until today due to a referee shortage. The varsity game will begin shortly after the 4 p.m. JV game and will be played in Winnie.

 

GIRLS HOOPS

VIDOR 48, MEMORIAL 42

In Port Arthur, both teams found balanced scoring, but Vidor (3-6 in 22-5A) had the upper hand on the road Tuesday.

The loss knocked Memorial (7-19, 5-5) out of a third-place tie with Beaumont Central and Livingston. Central defeated Nederland 43-28 on Tuesday, while Livingston beat PNG 41-33.

Julia Sion had eight rebounds and two steals to go with her nine points to lead Memorial. Daicha Kimble added eight points, and Kerianna Portalis and Vern’Nequa Davis each scored six.

Memorial visits Central on Friday.

 

LIVINGSTON 41, PNG 33

LIVINGSTON — Despite Mollee Priddy’s 14 points and Chelsea Carrillo’s three blocked shots, PNG’s chances at making the 5A playoffs took a big hit Tuesday on the road.

The loss puts PNG (15-20, 2-8 in 22-5A) four games behind Livingston (12-9, 6-4), which was tied with Memorial and Central for third place going into Tuesday. Each team in the district has four games remaining.

Maylin Stampley scored 11 points and Priddy pulled down six rebounds for the Indians. Carrillo had five rebounds, and Shelby Letulle crashed six boards.

PNG will host Ozen on Friday.

 

GIRLS SOCCER
PNG 4, HAMSHIRE-FANNETT 0

PORT NECHES — Ariel Muller, Jillian Flores, Abby Reeves and Mackenzie Tindel each scored a goal, and the Indians (8-1-3) posted their 10^th shutout of the season.

Halley Smith, Izzy Volk and Kelsie Comeaux earned assists for PNG, which will open

District 22-5A play at Ozen on Friday.