The Teague Lions took the giant into overtime. The giant responded and advanced.
Teague travelled to University High School in Waco and battled the top ranked Jarrell Cougars. This was the team that bumped them from the playoffs in the regional final last year and many of the same players appeared to make contributions.
The game started with both teams lighting up the nets, but the Lions had a spark and managed to get the lead. Keshawn Rice and Tyrese Heard hit three pointers to start off and were matched by scores from TJ Sykes and AJ Smith. Heard added a pair of three pointers and forced a Jarrell timeout. Heard’s shot at the buzzer put the Lions ahead 20-16 lead at the end of the first period.
Jarrell center Qyrique Dabon scored 29 points in the game against Teague last season but the Lion defense was stellar for the first half. Dabon was held to four points and one rebound and he was triple teamed most of the half. Mychal Shed slashed through the Cougar defense for two scores and Heard added his fourth three pointer in the half. Dabon scored his four points in consecutive possessions and cut into the lead. Teague held a 29-27 lead at the half.
The Cougars came out of the locker room and started firing shots and they went in. Dabon scored over a double team twice and Sykes hit a three pointer. D’Andre Montemayor hit a three and the Lions 38-32.
Teague called a timeout and it was a run stopper and the Lions came back with three pointers from Shed and Donovynn Smith. Jarrell was able to hang onto the lead and it was 46-41 heading into the final period.
In the fourth period, Keshawn Rice went from hot to scalding. He nailed four three pointers, three of them almost off the grid of the court and a couple of scores on the baseline, one of those with a free throw. He matched Dabon and Sykes score for score in the fourth period. He scored 17 in the final period and hit a short jumper with 35 seconds remaining to give the Lions the lead. Dabon took the pass in the closing seconds and tied the game and the score was 63-63 as Heard’s three-point attempt went wide at the buzzer.
Dabon and Sykes scored the opening buckets in overtime and took a 67-63 lead. Heard hit a shot to remain close and Shed added a three pointer. Jarrell hit 14 of 16 free throws in the fourth period and overtime and took the game 81-76.
Dabon and Rice matched top scoring honors with 25 points. Heard scored 24 points and had 12 rebounds and Shed tossed in 20 as well.
Jarrell advanced to the regional final but lost to the region champion Grandview Zebras 47-44.
Tayvis Coleman, Tyrese Heard and Donovynn Smith played their final game in a Teague Lion uniform.
(Photos by Melissa Lee)
