PAINT ROCK, TX — With first place in District 12-1A on the line, the Paint Rock boys basketball team came out firing in Tuesday’s game with district leader Menard.
The Indians led for much of the first half, and they hung around until late in the fourth quarter when Menard finally took control for a 50-40 win.
It was the closest game Menard has yet during its undefeated district run, and the Yellowjackets clinched no worse than a share of the district title.
Menard pulled away from a 26-26 tie at halftime to build a 39-32 lead by the end of the third quarter, and the Jackets put the game away in the fourth.
“We knew this was going to be a battle,” Menard head coach Jeff Campbell said. “I told them at halftime to calm down, and we made some minor adjustments. I always tell our guys the first four minutes of the second half is the most important part of the game, and we came out and executed really well.”
Menard opened the second half on an 11-2 run, and Paint Rock was never able to get closer than five points the rest of the way.
Menard sophomore Eli Weatherly scored 24 points and knocked down five 3-pointers to lead the Jackets. Junior Jaeger Leonard added nine points.
Paint Rock was led by freshman Ezra Ruiz, who scored 20 points and powered their first-half surge.
Paint Rock led by as much as 26-22 late in the first half.
“I’m very proud of our boys,” said Paint Rock head coach Donald Gibson, whose team is comprised largely of freshmen and sophomores. “We’re very young and we’ve got a good set of junior high kids coming up, so the sky’s the limit the next three or four years. And I’m looking forward to the playoffs this year to see what we can do.
“In football, we took a beating, but we’re stepping into our own in basketball.”
Paint Rock’s only two district losses are to Menard. The Indians lost 56-44 when they played earlier this year in Menard.
Paint Rock is now 12-12 overall and 9-2 in district play for second place.
The Indians will host Rochelle next Tuesday, Feb. 11, to close out the regular season.
Menard improved to 16-6 overall and 10-0 in district. The Jackets can clinch the district title outright at Rochelle on Friday. They’ll finish the regular season next Tuesday, Feb. 11, at Panther Creek.
No. 21 Menard Girls Continue Dominant District Run
The No. 21-ranked Menard Lady Jackets rolled to a 99-7 win over Paint Rock on Tuesday to complete their perfect run through District 12-1A.
Menard is now 22-3 overall and went 12-0 in district play.
The Lady Jackets will open the playoffs against Water Valley at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, in Ballinger.
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