PREP ROUNDUP: Titans start district 1-0
Published 9:08 pm Saturday, December 31, 2016
The News staff reports
VIDOR — The final score might not entirely indicate it, but Port Arthur Memorial suffered a hangover from winning the James Gamble Classic, coach Kenneth Coleman said.
Memorial, however, did start its first run in District 22-5A with a 48-34 boys basketball win at Vidor on Saturday.
“We had a hangover, which is to be expected,” Coleman said. “We just want to win. We didn’t even practice [Friday].”
Memorial (13-4, 1-0 in 22-5A), which has won four straight, won its home tournament Thursday.
Nathan Clover and Darion Chatman each scored 10 points to lead the Titans, who led 25-19 after being tied with Vidor 9-9 through one period.
Ashur Fondren led Vidor (8-9, 0-1) with 12 points.
Memorial hosts Central on Tuesday.
PNG 53, Livingston 44
PORT NECHES — Strong outside shooting helped Port Neches-Groves (5-10, 1-0 in 22-5A) break open a one-point halftime lead and go on to beat district newcomer Livingston (2-13, 0-1).
The Indians nailed four of their six three-point makes in the third quarter. Derrick Papa, who scored all seven of his points in the second quarter, had two of them in the period.
Keynel McZeal (12 points) and Edsel Damo (11) led the Indians in scoring. PNG was ahead 22-21 before outscoring Livingston 15-9 in the third frame. The Indians, though, struggled at the foul line, making only 17 of 36.
Kyler Franklin led Livingston with 15 points. He was 6 for 6 in free throws.
J.D. Green and Cameron Merchant each had 11 for the Lions.
PNG faces a big test on Tuesday when it visits Ozen.
Central 54, Nederland 42
BEAUMONT — Nederland (17-5, 0-1 in 22-5A) trailed only 25-20 at the half, but a big third quarter and great three-point shooting allowed Central (9-6, 1-0) to pick up the 12-point home win.
Central connected on nine three-pointers in the game. Nederland made only three, going 28 minutes without such a field goal in one stretch.
Kevin Howard had 16 points and Reid Garrett added 12 to lead Nederland. Darrell Jones was held to three points, having been saddled with foul trouble.
Jaylon Williams led the winning Jaguars with 17 points.
Lumberton will visit Nederland on Tuesday.
About I.C. Murrell
I.C. Murrell was promoted to editor of The News, effective Oct. 14, 2019. He previously served as sports editor since August 2015 and has won or shared eight first-place awards from state newspaper associations and corporations. He was born in Memphis, Tennessee, grew up mostly in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello.
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