AREA BOYS HOOPS: Christoval Edges Miles in District Opener

CHRISTOVAL, TX-- The Christoval Cougars overcame a slow second quarter to secure a narrow 45-43 win over Miles to start play in District 7-2A.

Christoval held a 10-7 lead after the first quarter behind seven points from Azul Salinas. Then Miles put the clamps on with a tough half-court press in the second quarter and Salinas was held scoreless in the second and third.

The Cougars struggled with the press in the second quarter while the Bulldogs capitalized on the mistakes to take a 17-16 lead into halftime.

Then the two offenses exploded for 55 points combined in the second half.

Miles' advantage only grew to 31-29 after the third quarter behind five points from Tanner Gilbert and a three pointer from Sterling Barker.

The Bulldogs stayed relatively hot in the fourth, scoring 12 points behind five from Gilbert and Kuail Kraatz. But Christoval found their rhythm again and Salinas went off.

Salinas tallied 11 points in the fourth quarter to help Christoval to 16 points in the final period and the win.

Salinas, a 6-foot-1 junior, would finish with a game-high 18 points in the win. Josh Fava was the only other Cougar in double figures with 12 points.

Gilbert finished with 13 points for Miles. Kraatz finished with nine.

Christoval (9-10, 1-0) will travel to Forsan on Jan. 15 looking to build on their momentum.

Miles (12-6, 0-1) will hope to rebound with a trip to Eldorado on Jan. 15

Midland Greenwood Halts Chiefs Just Short of Comeback in District Opener

The Lake View Chiefs came close to completing a comeback, but ultimately fell short 58-57 against Midland Greenwood at home on Friday.

Lake View fell behind 14-9 after the first quarter behind a combined 12 points from the Rebels' Max Montel and Jordan Riley. Five points from Dylan Hart kept the deficit manageable for the Chiefs going into the second quarter.

The Chiefs and Rebels traded figurative blows in the second quarter, matching each other with 15 points each for Lake View to go into halftime trailing 29-24. Jesse Greer had five points to go with a combined eight points from Hart and Ahmad Daniels to keep Lake View in striking distance.

Then the Chiefs chipped away at Greenwood's lead and trailed by two possessions at 45-41 after the third quarter. Hart found another gear for eight points in the quarter to help Lake View inch closer.

Junior guard Johnny Espinosa followed Hart's lead and exploded for nine points during Lake View's 16-point outburst in the fourth quarter. It wasn't enough, however, as Greenwood managed 13 points to hang on to the win by a thread.

Hart led the way in scoring for the Chiefs with 17 points. Daniels finished second on the team in scoring with 14 points. Espinosa was the only other Chief in double figures with 11 points.

Greenwood's Jordan Riley had the game-high scoring total of 23 points. 

Lake View (11-15, 0-1) will have a week off before hosting Snyder on Jan. 18.

Bierschwale's Explosive Night Highlights Mason's Trouncing of Harper

The Mason Punchers had very little trouble dispatching the Harper Longhorns in a 70-25 romp to open district play on Friday.

The Punchers started the game by going on a 13-0 run across the first quarter to take a stranglehold on the game. They followed that up by outscoring Harper 19-2 in the second quarter to take a 32-2 lead into half.

Mason continued to hold Harper down in the third quarter, outscoring them 16-9 to take a 48-11 lead to the fourth.

The fourth quarter was much looser as Mason continued to dominate, taking the quarter 22-14 to seal up their first win in district play.

Witt Bierschwale was the highlight of the night for Mason by dropping a game-high 20 points. Ethan Powell finished as the second-leading scorer for the night with 13 points.

Mason moves to 1-0 in district play with rival Junction waiting on Tuesday, Jan. 15.

Sonora Wipes Off Slow Start for Comfortable Win Over Grape Creek.

The Sonora Broncos started slow, but eventually made good use of 21 turnovers from Grape Creek for a comfortable 46-30 win at home Friday night.

Grape Creek held a narrow 7-6 margin after the first. Sonora proceeded to outscore the Eagles by 17 points over the next three quarters to secure the win.

Sonora took the quarters 10-6, 12-6 and 18-11 for the win.

As a team, Grape Creek shot 33 percent from the field on 39 shots. However, they committed 21 of the game's 38 turnovers.

Senior forward Evan Shannon finished with a double-double after scoring 10 points and snagging 10 rebounds for the Broncos. Jalen Lopez took the team-high scoring marks, though, with 14 points to his name.

Lopez finished 5-of-13 from the field with three made free throws as well.

Sonora (10-10, 2-2) will host Brady on Jan. 15.

Grape Creek (3-15, 0-5) will look to find a rhythm in a non-district meeting with Cornerstone Christian on Jan. 15 before traveling to Brady on Jan. 18.

TLCA's Explosive Night Against Brady Pulls Eagles Level Atop District Standings

The TLCA Eagles had an impressive night in an 81-56 win over Brady on Friday.

TLCA finished the night with two players over 20 points in individual scoring on a night where they tied their season-high scoring mark as a team. The Eagles put 81 points on Ozona in December.

The win also pulled TLCA even with Wall in the District 4-3A standings at 4-0.

The Eagles jumped out early behind eight points from Harrison Ragan to take a 19-10 lead after the first quarter. From there, TLCA outscored Brady 49-30 over the second and third quarters. Ragan tallied 14 points during that time while teammate Isaac Gonzales ran rampant for 25 points in that time.

Brady was able to chip into the gaping deficit with 16 points in the fourth quarter, but it was nowhere near enough.

Gonzales finished with a game-high 28 points. Ragan wasn't far behind with 24 of his own. Jevon Everrit had a modest 19 points for TLCA.

Gonzalo Morales had Brady's team-high of 20 points. Kelton Bernard and Ross Jacoby each had 10 points for the Bulldogs.

However, TLCA (17-3, 4-0) gets into the teeth of their schedule now. They host third place Ballinger on Jan. 15 before traveling to face no. 12 Wall on Jan. 18.

Brady (5-16, 1-3) will hope they can continue their scoring ways at Sonora on Jan. 15.

Garden City Holds Sands Off Late for District-Opening Win

The Garden City Bearkats had to hold on late for a 27-25 win over Sands in a defensive affair Friday night.

The Bearkats trailed 9-5 after the first quarter before taking control in the second and third.

Garden City outscored Sands 15-6 in the second and third quarters, thanks to seven points from Parker Koenning, to hold a 20-15 lead going into the fourth quarter.

Sands made the Bearkats sweat by scoring 10 points. Garden City responded with seven of their own led by Hagan Halfmann going 3-of-4 from the free throw line in the quarter. It was just enough to hold on to the lead.

Koenning finished with 10 points for the game-high. He was the only player on either team to reach double figures in scoring.

Garden City moves to 1-0 in District 8-1A with Grady coming to town on Jan. 15.

This story will be updated.