Columbia cager face powerhouse Yates tonight

From The Brazosport Facts

With their goal of making the playoffs accomplished, the Columbia Roughnecks now have a huge challenge in the opening round.

If the Roughnecks hope to make a playoff run, they will have to get past Houston Yates (21-3), a regional finalist last season and the No. 4 Class 4A team in the state.

Columbia and Yates will tip off their bidistrict contest at 5:30 p.m. today at the Barnett Fieldhouse in Houston.

“You always want to play extra,” Valladares said. “You always want to make the playoffs. That is a goal we always start off with at the beginning of the year. Obviously, state championship, you want to go to the regional game, you want to win district but you also want to make the playoffs. That was one of our goals we were really happy to accomplish.

“The flip side of that is we get matched up with an awesome district, one of the best districts in the state. It is always tough, but those are the kinds of games you want to play. You want to play the best. That is why you come out and compete.”

In a competitive District 24-4A, the Roughnecks went 3-5 and were 10-17 overall, but four of their district losses were by eight points or less.

Valladares believes the competitiveness of the district and the larger schools the Roughnecks faced prior to district will benefit them against Yates.

“We feel confident,” Valladares said. “We feel like we have played a tough opponent almost every game. There wasn’t a time when we weren’t challenged. We played 6A teams and 5A teams. Even our district itself is a great warmup for the playoffs.

“If you look at the guys in our district, the top four teams very easily could have been seeded in reverse order. That is just how good and talented and well-coached the teams in our district are. That is the kind of high-level competition we are going to see in the playoffs. It is not anything that phases our team. We are prepared for it.”

Yates comes into the playoffs as one of the highest-scoring teams in the state. In its undefeated run through District 23-4A, the Lions were held under 100 points only once, a 97-66 victory over Houston Wheatley.

“They are one of the best teams in the state regardless of classification so we understand there is a big challenge ahead of us. That is what you want. That is kind of our mindset going into tomorrow.

“With all credit to Yates, they are an unbelievable team. They really are. They are a state-contending team. They have a chance to win it this year. We are going to go out and play our game. We are trying not to let them change who we are, change our identity.”

Junior Cam Ward leads the Roughnecks offensively, averaging around 20 points per game, but the rest of the team has stepped up to help push the squad to the postseason.

“Offensively, that is the positive part about our team,” Valladares said. “Any night, any one of our players can step up and have 15 points or 12 points. Lately it’s been Sultan Abdullah. He has come off the bench and given us a great spark. Zade Stroman as well, he is a sophomore for us. This year he has really proven he can be one of the bright future pieces for us.

“Defensiviely, Lane Johnson, in my opinion ,he is the best defensive player not only in our district, but in the whole area. Alan Reyna is a senior who has provided awesome leadership. Will Carlson is probably our unsung team MVP. He is just our junkyard dog. He does everything, all the little things. If you aren’t paying attention, you don’t notice. He’s not going to fill up a state line. He’s not going to score 30 points, but he is going to do all the necessary things a team needs to win.”

The winner of tonight’s game will face either Hardin-Jefferson or Livingston in the area round.