Trimble Tech shuts down Arlington Heights late to win 7-4A title

By Jarret Johnson

jmjohnson@star-telegram.com

Fort Worth Trimble Tech claimed its second consecutive district title Tuesday with a 58-47 victory over rival Fort Worth Arlington Heights at Billingsley Field House.

The Bulldogs (23-7, 13-1 in District 7-4A) outscored Heights 29-16 in the second half and held the Yellow Jackets (18-11, 9-5) to eight points in the fourth quarter to secure the championship. Trimble Tech guard Chasten King scored six of his game-high 19 points in the final period.

"It feels good. Coach [Wendell] Ivory always stresses in practice to play every game like its our last game and that's what we did," King said. "We started knocking down shots and in the fourth quarter coach Ivory put it back in our heads about the district championship."

Trimble Tech jumped out to an early big lead behind wing Spencer Franklin, who had 10 points and 12 rebounds and a block before Heights finished the first period on an 11-0 run.

The Yellow Jackets' inside combo of 6-foot-8 Damontre McFarland (14 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks) and 6-5, 300-pound A'Shawn Robinson (13 points, six rebounds) -- the latter an Alabama football signee -- gave the Bulldogs trouble, as Heights led 31-29 at halftime. Trimble Tech's full-court pressure and team depth eventually wore Heights down.

Trimble Tech's D.J. McMillan nailed a pair of 3-pointers and scored nine of his 11 points in the fourth quarter, and the Bulldogs sank seven free throws in the final minute.

Trimble Tech will face Waco High in the bi-district playoffs. Heights finished District 7-4A play in third place and will face Everman in the first round.

"We set goals at the beginning of every season and the first goal is to win the district championship, that's goal No. 1," Trimble Tech coach Wendell Ivory said. "Right now we're talking about history. Things that we do from here on out is etched in stone and nobody can take them away from us."

Looking for comments?