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By Chris Moore

Special to The News

In many districts the Nederland Bulldogs and Port Neches-Groves boys basketball teams would not only be in the playoffs, they could likely be in contention for district titles. 

PNG, who finished the season 13-16 (3-9 in district) beat Montgomery earlier in the season. Unfortunately, the Bears played in a weaker district and will play in the playoffs, while the Indians and Bulldogs wrapped up their seasons this past week.

Nederland, who finished the season 22-12 (5-7 in district) earned fifth place in District 19, just missing the playoffs. 

Beaumont West Brook, Memorial, Beaumont United and Barbers Hill finished in the top-4 spots and will continue playing in the post season. 

Senior Jayden Davis led the Bulldogs in scoring this season, averaging about 14 points and 10 rebounds per game. The Bulldogs point guard Dallas Rosette averaged 12 points per game and will return for Nederland next season. The experience will be needed as Nederland will only return two starters from this year’s team. 

The tough district is highlighted by the fact that Nederland lost six games by six points or fewer.

“It is unfortunate that the districts fell the way they did,” Nederland Head Coach Brian English said. “If we were in some of these other districts, we would’ve been okay. But it is what it is.”

Nederland ended the season with a win over PNG to split the series. However, it was the Indians who were able to walk out of the Bulldog Classic earlier in the season as victors. 

“Our young kids grew up quick and had a great year,” PNG Head Coach Chris Smith said. “Our older kids did a great job of teaching them the way. Overall, I think we had one of the best teams I have had at PNG. I just hate they didn’t get recognized as that because of the tough district we were in. No matter who they played against, they competed at a high level.”

PNG lost to Memorial by a combined six points in their two matchups against each other. 

“We went toe to toe with the big dogs,” Smith said. “We had a lot of success. We are going to use that as motivation to make us better next year.”

PNG was led by junior point guard Langston Adams, who will return for the Indians next season. Jonathan Cayetano, who played in the paint for PNG as a 6’6” sophomore, came into his own, Smith said.

“He is still learning how to use that big ole body,” he said. “We also had Daylen Jackson, who got MVP of the Bulldog Classic. They sky is the limit for him. Those three are going to anchor us.”

Edison Gaspar will graduate for PNG after finishing his career with more than 1,600 points and four years on varsity.