After spotting a determined Quitman team a five point 29-24 lead at the half, the Mineola Yellowjackets stormed back in the second half last Tuesday to post a 70-54 win over Quitman. The win kept Mineola perfect in District 12-3A with a 10-0 record.

Mineola led 3-0 in the first part of the first quarter as freshman T.J. Moreland was all net on a three point shot. Quitman came back with Jace Reid putting in eight points on a pair of three point shots and two free throws to give the Bulldogs a 13-9 lead. Quitman scored 16 second quarter points to 15 for Mineola to make it a 29-24 Bulldog advantage at intermission. 

The Yellowjackets came out firing in the second half with Jonah Fischer scoring Mineola’s first eight points of the quarter, but Quitman still led 35-32 after a put back by Riley Flannagan and two successful jump shots from Aiden Corrior. Mineola tied the game at 35-35 on a triple from Moreland. Wylie Franks put the ‘Jackets ahead for good, hitting a pair of free throws to give Mineola a 37-35 edge. Quitman got a pair of buckets from Aiden Corrior, but a Dawson Pendergrass score gave Mineola a 45-38 lead going into the final quarter. 

An early fourth quarter bucket from Quitman’s Corrior made it a 45-40 game and that would be as close as the Bulldogs would get. After a Moreland triple and a free throw by Jonah Fischer Mineola surged to a 53-40 advantage. Bulldog Reid came back with a three point shot making it a 53-43 Mineola lead.

Pendergrass got hot in the fourth quarter pouring in 14 of his 18 points. Mineola hit on 7-10 free throws as they pulled away in the final quarter. Junior point guard Fischer had a fine all-around game, hitting timely buckets and playing stout defense. Fischer led the scoring for the Yellowjackets with 25 points. Moreland added 15 points for Mineola. 

Reid led the Bulldogs with 15 points with Corrior hitting for 10 and teammates Riley Flanagan and Chris Chabaud each with seven points. Ford Tannebaum added six points.

The Bulldogs fought with intensity, but it was not their night as Mineola clinched the District 12-3A championship and now must wait to see who they will face from District 11-3A. The Yellowjackets will face either Life Oak Cliff, Gateway Charter or A+ Academy Charter in bi-district. Dallas Madison has already clinched the top spot in the district. The Trojans are 10-0 and ranked second in the state. They will battle the Alba-Golden Panthers in bi-district.