Scoop27
03-03-2015, 01:08 PM
By JOEL LUNA joel.luna@thefacts.com | 0 comments
WEST COLUMBIA — No strangers to each other, the Columbia Roughnecks and Wharton Tigers will tangle again on the basketball court today in the Class 4A Region IV quarterfinal round.
Columbia (26-5) and Wharton (29-5) will match up for the third time this season, this time at Stafford High School for a 7 p.m. tipoff.
The Roughnecks are coming off a tough win against Taylor (63-62), where they didn’t play too well but did enough to get by the Ducks. Now comes a rubber match with a Tigers squad they met twice in four days back in December.
“We put our guards through a good workout today,” Columbia coach Robert Cash said. “They went through a lot of pressure because from here on out they are going to get pressured more and more.”
The first meeting against Wharton came at the Randy Miksch/Raymond Washington Invitational Basketball Tournament, and the Roughnecks took care of the Tigers, 53-43. Jayson Faith was big in that first meeting with 20 points, as Jessie Garza added 20 points to lead Wharton.
“Jayson had a great first game for us,” Cash said.
Just three days later, the Tigers returned the favor in a high-scoring contest that went into overtime. Wharton beat the ‘Necks, 85-80, despite Jarius Kesee’s 27 points, three blocks, four assists and three steals. Faith was also big in that game with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
“Our guards had a few turnovers in that second meeting and we missed 15 free throws,” Cash said.
The Tigers, ranked No. 8 in the state in Class 4A, were the top seed coming out of District 27-4A.
Wharton is coming off a 55-47 win against Wmberley in the area round, after getting by Stafford, 40-33, in the bidistrict round.
The Tigers were trailing the Texans going into the final quarter, 43-41, but outscored them 14-4 to pull out the win.
Against Stafford, the Tiger defense limited the Spartans to 11 second-half points.
Columbia will have to stay away from turnovers after committing 24 against Taylor in the come-from-behind win. Kalen Williams, Kyle Brennon and Ace Turner, will have to play much better at this stage of the playoffs.
“We are going to need Jarius and Jayson to have big games and our guards are going to have to handle that Wharton pressure,” Cash said.
Senior post Jordan Speight was a big boost for the Roughneck attack against the Ducks, especially in the second half when he had some big buckets and key rebounds.
Columbia or Wharton will hook up with West Oso or Hidalgo in the Class 4A Region IV tournament on Friday in Kingsville.
WEST COLUMBIA — No strangers to each other, the Columbia Roughnecks and Wharton Tigers will tangle again on the basketball court today in the Class 4A Region IV quarterfinal round.
Columbia (26-5) and Wharton (29-5) will match up for the third time this season, this time at Stafford High School for a 7 p.m. tipoff.
The Roughnecks are coming off a tough win against Taylor (63-62), where they didn’t play too well but did enough to get by the Ducks. Now comes a rubber match with a Tigers squad they met twice in four days back in December.
“We put our guards through a good workout today,” Columbia coach Robert Cash said. “They went through a lot of pressure because from here on out they are going to get pressured more and more.”
The first meeting against Wharton came at the Randy Miksch/Raymond Washington Invitational Basketball Tournament, and the Roughnecks took care of the Tigers, 53-43. Jayson Faith was big in that first meeting with 20 points, as Jessie Garza added 20 points to lead Wharton.
“Jayson had a great first game for us,” Cash said.
Just three days later, the Tigers returned the favor in a high-scoring contest that went into overtime. Wharton beat the ‘Necks, 85-80, despite Jarius Kesee’s 27 points, three blocks, four assists and three steals. Faith was also big in that game with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
“Our guards had a few turnovers in that second meeting and we missed 15 free throws,” Cash said.
The Tigers, ranked No. 8 in the state in Class 4A, were the top seed coming out of District 27-4A.
Wharton is coming off a 55-47 win against Wmberley in the area round, after getting by Stafford, 40-33, in the bidistrict round.
The Tigers were trailing the Texans going into the final quarter, 43-41, but outscored them 14-4 to pull out the win.
Against Stafford, the Tiger defense limited the Spartans to 11 second-half points.
Columbia will have to stay away from turnovers after committing 24 against Taylor in the come-from-behind win. Kalen Williams, Kyle Brennon and Ace Turner, will have to play much better at this stage of the playoffs.
“We are going to need Jarius and Jayson to have big games and our guards are going to have to handle that Wharton pressure,” Cash said.
Senior post Jordan Speight was a big boost for the Roughneck attack against the Ducks, especially in the second half when he had some big buckets and key rebounds.
Columbia or Wharton will hook up with West Oso or Hidalgo in the Class 4A Region IV tournament on Friday in Kingsville.