The Mineola hometown crowd finally got a chance to see the Yellowjacket team which will soon be in district action. Mineola’s 45-35 win against Mabank Dec. 12 had none of that early season rustiness which teams usually battle through. 

The game had all the characteristics one expects to see out of Coach Steadman’s side.

A review of first-quarter action provides an excellent summary of what the season holds. Mineola combined an intensive press, attacking guard play, aggressive inside defense and solid rebound positioning to finish the quarter with a 15-9 lead. 

The Jackets produced two blocked shots (one each by Trevion Sneed and Dawson Pendergrass), forced a turnover by defending an inbound play for a full five seconds and recorded three offensive and three defensive rebounds.     

Psychologically, the Jackets fast and physical play had the desired effect on the visitors. Mabank was competing hard, but they were not enjoying it. 

Offensively, TJ Moreland drilled a 3-pointer to open the scoring. Jonah Fischer then hit Pendergrass on a low-post screen for two. Fischer and Andrew Stinchfield hit 3-pointers from the top of the key and the corner respectively to open an 11-4 lead. 

Moreland and Fischer each scored from the lane on short drives to conclude Mineola’s opening quarter offensive production.  

Pressure, attack, defend, rebound. The sequence was on repeat the whole game. 

There were only two brief lapses in the pattern. At the closing stages of the third quarter, the Jackets opened a 14-point lead after Conner Gibson kicked the ball back out to Fischer who hit a 3-pointer. Then, the team just kind of forgot to play basketball. Mabank quickly scored twice and closed the score to a 10-point margin. 

With these two exceptions, however, the Jackets showed excellent teamwork, quick feet, great vertical strength and well-practiced ball movement. 

Most notably were three passing sequences which led to textbook scores in the second half. Fischer found Pendergrass with a pass from the key to the low post, Pendergrass quickly returned the pass and Fischer made an open 3-pointer. 

In the next Jacket possession Fischer and Pendergrass executed a flawless alley-oop. In the final quarter Sneed took a Fischer pass at the high post and executed a perfect bounce pass to Pendergrass at the low post. 

These sequences could be considered “mid-season” plays in Texas high school basketball. The timing, communications and court awareness involved is significant.

Fischer, Moreland and Pendergrass all scored in double figures, with Sneed, Aidan Steward and Stinchfield also recording scores. 

The Jackets look warmed up for district, which starts with a home court Dec. 21 matchup against Winnsboro.