MHS Yellowjackets prevail in defensive battle

Posted 12/22/22

Not every basketball game is a 50-point affair.   Put the right defensive mix on the floor, cut off driving lanes, challenge shot-takers and one ends up with a 35-32 final. So it was Friday when …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

MHS Yellowjackets prevail in defensive battle

Posted

Not every basketball game is a 50-point affair.  Put the right defensive mix on the floor, cut off driving lanes, challenge shot-takers and one ends up with a 35-32 final. So it was Friday when the Yellowjackets hosted the Indians of Grand Saline.  Mineola won the close game which was one or two sequences from going the other way.

The game was largely a defensive clinic. Mineola employed its patented man-to-man defense with the associated press, while Grand Saline played a very stubborn zone. Each offense endeavored to find the creases in the opposing defenses, but they were hard to exploit.

With half the first quarter expired, Grand Saline had tied the game at eight by hitting two baskets off baseline drives. Mineola’s Ainsley Steward connected on a 3-pointer from the corner to give Mineola the edge. 

Zay Lipscomb issued a beauty of an assist to Brayden Alley who was fouled and sank two free throws. Shortly after, Lipscomb hit a 3-pointer from the wing to give Mineola a 16-11 lead at the quarter break.     

The second quarter largely belonged to Dawson Pendergrass and Braydon Alley. The two Yellowjacket inside stalwarts impacted the game with their physical rebounding and offensive presence. Pendergrass muscled home two inside scores – one a nifty reverse lay-in on a steal and score – while Alley continued to pull down rebounds at both ends of the court. 

Just before the half, Pendergrass ran the court and found Lipscomb with an assist. Mineola led at the break 26-22.

In the third quarter, points were harder to find than diamonds in Arkansas. The Jackets managed four points and the Indians two. Grand Saline had closed their zone even tighter after halftime, and the Jackets were playing some excellent one-on-one defending.

As happens in a close contest, each session of the final quarter was pivotal. The Yellowjackets had plenty of close-in chances in the later stage of the game but just could not get the ball to fall through the hoop. Therefore, Grand Saline was hanging within striking distance. 

The Indians closed to within two points before Keke Martin hit a 3-pointer.

Some crazy end-to-end play ensued, and Mineola went to a four-corner offense with 2:00 on the clock. Lipscomb hit two free throws to give the home side a 6-point edge.  Grand Saline nailed a 3-pointer with 30 seconds to play. 

The visitors had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds, but Pendergrass anticipated the inbound pass and nicked the ball away to preserve the win. 

The Yellowjackets opened their district play Tuesday at Winona and host Mt. Vernon, Tuesday, Jan. 3.