TLCA San Angelo Beats Merkel in District Shootout

SAN ANGELO— Despite a great offensive night from the Merkel Badgers, the TLCA San Angelo Eagles came out on top, 70-63.

The Merkel Badgers were surgical Friday night against the TLCA San Angelo Eagles, sinking nine three-point shots. The Eagles weren’t too shabby either as they hit seven from beyond the arch. It kept the game interesting as after the opening quarter, the Eagles led by three, 23-20.

It was a collective effort as Preston Romero, Luis Casillas, and Drew Sherrill each had four points, Jaidden Villanueva had five, and A-Jay Romero had six. For the Badgers, Kooper Darby and Bryant Jones had 10 points combined, Maddox O’Malley had four, and Aiden Jackson and Elijah Olivarez each had three.

In the second, TLCA’s Sherrill and A-Jay Romero were the lead scorers with eight and 10 respectively. Preston Romero snuck in two as well to bring the Eagle’s total score 43 going in at the half. Darby and Jackson scored all the second quarter points for Merkel with 14, bringing the halftime score to 43- 34.

The third was tight as well and the Badgers scored more points than the Eagles. Casillas added seven, Natavian Sykes scored four, Sherrill, three, and Villanueva knocked in a two-point shot. Merkel’s Jones came out with eight, Olivarez scored five, Jackson sank another three, and O’Malley and Darby combined for four points. This kept the heat on the Eagles as the score going into the fourth was 59-54.

The Eagles stepped up in the fourth, holding the Badgers to nine total points while they scored 11. Sherrill and Casillas each made a two-point shot and a free throw. Preston Romero and Sykes scored two apiece, and Tony Valencia made a free throw.

For Merkel, Jones, Kaden Blubaugh, Darby, and Olivarez each scored two points and Jackson hit another three-point shot, his fifth of the night.

In the end, the TLCA San Angelo Eagles secured the victory, 70-63. They will play the Wall Hawks, who dropped their district game to the Jim Ned Indians, 43-29. This upcoming game is the last game of the regular season and, as it sits right now, the Eagles are first in their district having only lost one game.

SCORING (TLCA-MHS)

• 1st- 23-20
• 2nd- 20-14 (43-34)
• 3rd- 16-20 (59-54)
• 4th- 11-9 (70-63)

TLCA: Sherrill- 18, A-Jay Romero- 16, Casillas- 14, Preston Romero- 8, Villanueva- 7, Sykes- 6, Valencia- 1

3-Point Shots: Sherrill- 3, A-Jay Romero- 2, Casillas- 1, Villanueva- 2

MHS: Darby- 17, Jackson- 15, Jones- 13, Olivarez- 10, O’Malley- 6, Blubaugh- 2

3-Point Shots: Jackson- 5, Jones, 3, Darby- 1