Central's Second-Half Surge Sinks No. 1 Jayton

SAN ANGELO, TX — The 6A Central Bobcats played Jayton, the No. 1-ranked team in the state in 1A on Tuesday, and won 65-50.

Central's Ean McNeill led the way by hitting eight 3-pointers to finish with 30 points. 

Central jumped out to a 7-0 lead early, but Jayton fought back into it and the Bobcats were only up two after the first quarter.

Jayton kept the game somewhat close throughout the first half but only scored seven points in the second quarter to go into the half down 31-19. 

In the third quarter, the Jaybirds outscored the Bobcats, 14-9 to pull within 40-33, but the Bobcats had a strong start to the fourth quarter and led by as many as 22 points.

Many would think that Central should have an easy time being a 6A. They do have 2,774 students to Jayton’s 58, but the Jaybirds are back-to-back state champions.

Jayton is working out the kinks and dusting off the baskets as this was only its sixth game of the season after winning the 1A Division II football state title in December. But Coach Ryan Bleiker wants to play the best of the best and doesn’t want his team to face anyone they’re not prepared for.

The Jaybirds were led by Bode Ham, who scored 13 points. Sean Stanaland followed closely with 12 points, six rebounds and five steals, and Colt Gentry ended up with 12 points as well.

Central’s TK Taylor made a statement with one windmill dunk and another off his own steal. He finished with 10 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and four steals. Trey Allen’s performance shouldn’t go unnoticed as he finished second in points with 16, all on two-point shots.

Up next, Jayton will play at Paducah (5-13) on Friday, while Central will play its final nondistrict game the same night at home against Killeen Ellison (13-9).

San Angelo Central 65, Jayton 50

Jayton   12   7   14   17 — 50

Central   14   17   9   25 — 65

JAYTON — Tucker Scott 2, Bode Ham 13, Lorenzo Vargas 9, Sean Stanaland 12, Colt Gentry 12, Ben Baldridge 2.

CENTRAL — Ean McNeill 30, TK Taylor 10, Miguel Zamarron 2, Trey Allen 16, Micah Smith 4, Ja'marcus Walker 2, Cristian Casillas 1.