The News staff reports

Drake Rojas started his senior season in a big way.

Rojas scored 40 points, leading Port Neches-Groves to a 73-39 win over Little Cypress-Mauriceville on Tuesday at The Reservation.

Noah Marchak scored 12 points and Tracy Smith had 11 in the win. LCM had a big scorer of its own as Braden Bridges finished with 27 points.

The Indians (1-0) led 32-17 at halftime.

PNG will visit West Brook on Tuesday with tipoff at 1 p.m.

 

Memorial 69, Cypress Lakes 67

In Cypress, the Titans knocked down two crucial free throws to come away with a two-point win over the 6A Spartans.

Steven Wilson’s free throw put the Titans ahead 69-68, and then Armand Callihan hit 1 of 2 at the foul line with 7 seconds remaining. Cy Lakes missed a shot at the buzzer.

The 5A state champion Titans (1-1) will take on two-time 4A titleholder Silsbee at 2 p.m. Saturday.

 

Nederland 83, Kelly 65

In Beaumont, Hayden Hefner sank 32 points and sparked Nederland to an 18-point victory.

Tyler Jackson and Joseph Gipson each had 11 for the visiting Bulldogs, who spoiled the Kelly debut of coach Laurence Williams.

 

GIRLS

Beaumont United 66, Memorial 28

In Beaumont, the Titans (1-2) went without a double-digit scorer, as United opened up another chapter in the Beaumont-Port Arthur rivalry with a 38-point win.

Memorial hit 7of 15 from the field (2 of 11 from three-point range) but knocked down just 8 of 22 free throws. Jackie Gibbs, Marceya Scott and Dakayla Miller each had six points in the loss.

Memorial will have a week off before taking on Silsbee at 2 p.m. next Tuesday.

 

Jasper 74, PNG 69

In Jasper, the Bulldogs pulled away in the final seconds despite Mollee Priddy’s 21 points and Chelsea Carrillo’s 20 for the Indians (2-1).

“Carrillo stepped up in a big, big way when we really needed her,” PNG coach Kara Skinner said.

Harlee Barnwell added 16 points and Maylin Stampley nine for PNG, which faces Orangefield next Tuesday.

“Very good play from our kids tonight,” Skinner said. “Very good team basketball … beyond proud of these kids.”

 

Nederland 56, Kelly 48, OT

In Nederland, the host Bulldogs used three double-digit scorers to pick up an overtime win over the visiting Bulldogs.

Cassidy Thomas led Nederland (1-2) with 12 points. Cheyenne hammonds and Kadajia Valsin each added 11.

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Also Tuesday: Sabine Pass varsity 44, Nederland freshmen 28