Mineola faced another unique challenge last Friday as they battled the visiting Winona Wildcats. The Wildcats have good size, and push the ball very quickly up the floor. Mineola prevailed 53-43 by challenging shots and disrupting passing lanes to derail the Winona fastbreaks.  

Time and again, the Yellowjackets used positioning and quick hands to influence Winona passes. It did not take much; often, the Yellowjackets would just get a finger on a pass, just enough to upset the timing or the intent of Winona in attacking down the court. 

Defensively, the Jackets frustrated the Wildcats, while the home team cleaned up on the boards.  

In the offensive zone, the Yellowjackets’ ball movement generated clean shot opportunities, and the Jackets took advantage. 

It was an amazing start for Beckham Bowker. The sophomore sharpshooter accounted for 14 of the Jackets’ 18 points in the opening quarter.  He was ranged in, hitting four 3-pointers. 

Bowker finished with 25 points on the night. He was joined in double figures by Zane Strange, who had 14.

In an attempt to slow down the Jackets’ scoring, Winona moved from man-to-man to a zone defense midway through the second quarter. Mineola answered with two baseline scores by Strange – one a reverse lay-in – and a 3-pointer by Carson Threlkeld.

The Jackets took the largest lead of the game, 13 points, into the half.

The third period started with incredible pace. Each team changed defenses as the game wore on, and, despite the pace of action, scoring proved difficult for both sides.

Winona slowly closed the lead. With 4:17 to play, it was a 5-point game, 45-40.  The Jackets went on an 8-point run to secure the win. 

Strange scored with an offensive rebound put-back, and Threlkeld executed an outstanding look-off on a drive to free a path to the basket. Strange then raced to block a lay-up on a Winona fastbreak, and hauled down two offensive rebounds with only one minute to play.  

Bowker and Chance Williams closed out the game from the free-throw line.

Of specific note was the work done in the first half by guard Steven Reyes. Faced with an exceptionally quick opposite number, Reyes was not intimidated, but used solid fundamental principles to bring the ball up the court on the dribble. 

The Jackets put together one of their signature wins last Friday. Everyone had a hand in what was a great team win.

The next chance to see the Jackets at home is Tuesday, Feb. 3, when they host Grand Saline.