Live: Aledo's Moritz Dealership Holiday Classic

By Jared L. Christopher

Special to the Star-Telegram

ALEDO — Converse Judson 57, Mansfield 37: The Rockets (16-5) dominated the Tigers (10-8) Friday in a semifinal of the Moritz Dealerships Holiday Classic at Aledo.

Judson turned to 6-foot-6 guard Tanner Leissner to lead the way. He finished with 13 points, nine rebounds and four steals.

“He's not only tall, but he’s strong and very fundamentally sound,” Mansfield coach Richie Alfred said of Leissner. “He’s a tough one to stop.”

Judson went into halftime with a 32-9 lead and never looked back.

“They really outplayed us on both ends, said Alfred.

Zach Miller was the lone bright spot for the Tigers, finishing with 13 points, all in the second half.

Mansfield will face Mansfield Legacy for the third place game at 1:30 pm on Saturday.

Judson advances to the championship game against host Aledo at 3 pm.

Aledo 69, Haltom 65: Aledo (11-8) outlasted Haltom (5-13) in a game that went down to the final seconds. Despite their record, the Buffalo’s have had little trouble scoring this season, averaging a little over 55 points per game. “Haltom was really relentless today,” said Aledo coach Steve Smith. “They were certainly one of the most athletic teams we’ve played so far this season.” The two teams traded baskets for much of the first half, with Aledo holding a slim 27-26 lead. In the second half, the Bearcats turned to their leading scorer, Taylor Johnson. The junior guard answered, scoring 18 of his game-high 23 points in the second half, including 9 of 10 from the free-throw line. “Taylor is a third year starter for us,” said Smith. “The way he saw the floor, the way he finished, I mean if he continues to play this way we’ll be tough to beat.” Aledo faces Mansfield Legacy in the semifinals later tonight. The winner will face a tough Converse Judson team in the championship at 3 pm on Saturday.

Mansfield Legacy 56, Hurst L.D. Bell 41: After an emotional 48-46 opening round win over Keller Central, the Blue Raiders (11-7) stumbled in their second-round game against Legacy (12-8).

Bell trailed 16-4 at the end of the first quarter. Legacy played a solid team game with nine of their 13 players scoring points in the win. Scrappy senior guard Brett Potter led with a game high 14 points.

Down by 18 to start the fourth quarter, Bell guard Garrett Hammonds drilled back-to-back three pointers to give the Blue Raiders a glimmer of hope. Bell then forced Legacy to earn their win, putting them on the free-throw line nearly every remaining possession, and Legacy obliged converting 8 of 11 attempts en route to the win.

Legacy moves on to face Aledo in the semifinals at 7:30 tonight .

Converse Judson 44, White Settlement Brewer 31: The Judson Rockets two big men, 6-foot-9 forward David Wecker and 6-6 guard Tanner Leissner combined for 31 points, dominating an undersized Brewer Bears in the second round of action at the Moritz Dealerships Holiday Classic. Judson (15-5) led by 11 at the close of the first quarter. Brewer (9-10) took advantage of Judson’s aggressive play, absorbing hard fouls in the paint took get to the free-throw line. After converting all 6 of their free throws, Brewer Coach Jason Porostovsky directed his team to go into a stall to force the ball out of the hands of Judson’s big men.

Despite jeers from the bleachers, guard Taro Ford literally held the ball at the top of the key for the remaining five minutes to finish the first half down 24-16. Brewer came out flat in the second half, scoring only six points in the third quarter. Judson went on an 8-0 run early in the fourth quarter to seal the win. Judson advances to face Mansfield in the semifinals later tonight.

Mansfield 60, Keller Timber Creek 48: Senior guard Zach Miller led the charge for Mansfield (10-7) scoring 21 points, 11 of which came in the first half to put the Tigers up 35-24.

Timber Creek (11-6) managed to chip away at the Tiger lead late in the third quarter thanks to two huge 3-pointers from junior Devante Waldon that got the Falcons within seven.

Miller took over from there, scoring Mansfield's final six points, stifling any chance of a comeback.

Mansfield advances to face Converse Judson in the semifinal round at 6 tonight.

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