'Little old' Aledo advances to take on Judson

By Jared L. Christopher

Special to the Star-Telegram

ALEDO -- The first time these two teams met this season, Mansfield Legacy edged Aledo by three points. The Bearcats turned the tables on the Broncos on Friday, beating Legacy 41-38 in a semifinal at the Moritz Dealership Holiday Classic.

Aledo's Matt Dunn made four of his seven 3-pointers in the second half and finished with a season-high 21 points to lead the Bearcats (12-8).

"His nickname is the rifleman," Aledo coach Steve Smith said of Dunn. "That's what he does is knock down 3s."

Legacy's Marchie Murdock made 5 of 7 free throws to keep the Broncos close late.

In the final minute, the Bearcats spread the floor and put the ball in Taylor Johnson's hands. Johnson drove to the basket and took a hard foul with 25 seconds remaining. He made both free throws to put the Bearcats up by three. A desperation three by Legacy came up short.

"When Taylor's got the ball in his hands late in the game good things happen," Smith said.

Aledo will meet Converse Judson in today's championship game at 3 p.m.

"The pressure is on them," Smith said. "They are the 10th-ranked 5A team in the state. We are just little old 12-8 Aledo. We are just going to go out and play free and easy."

Converse Judson 57, Mansfield 37: Tanner Leissner had 13 points, nine rebounds and four steals to lead the Rockets (16-5) past the Tigers (10-8) in the other semifinal game. Zach Miller led the Tigers with 13 points, all in the second half. Mansfield plays Mansfield Legacy in the third-place game at 1:30 p.m. today.

Mansfield Legacy 56, Hurst L.D. Bell 41: Brett Potter scored 14 points to lead the Broncos past the Blue Raiders in a quarterfinal game.

Converse Judson 44, White Settlement Brewer 31: David Wecker and Tanner Leissner combined for 31 points to lead the Rockets to a quarterfinal victory over the Bears.

Mansfield 60, Keller Timber Creek 48: Senior guard Zach Miller scored 21 points for the Tigers, including 11 in the first half in a quarterfinal victory over the Falcons.

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