Dragons come back from Whataburger tourney, resume district

The Carroll boys basketball team wrapped up its final game before the holiday break with a tough overtime loss to North Crowley, but coach Eric McDade said that he was proud of the way his players fought and said that, overall, it was a good experience.

The Dragons started a week-long break last week, and McDade said that as his team heads into the break, he is quite pleased with where the team's confidence is.

“Confidence is good,” McDade said. “Our guys are ready to go to war, but at the same time, I think they are ready for a break. The basketball season is such a long season. You play 30 some-odd games and it just wears on you mentally and physically. I think that's why the UIL schedules a break when it does.”

The Dragons competed in the Whatburger tournament, which ends Wednesday, and McDade said the objective for the tournament was to play some strong competition just before the start of district.

“Anytime you can play in one of the premier tournaments in the country, it's a good way to get ready for district,” McDade said.

Carroll lost to North Crowley by a score of 60-56 in its final game before the break, and McDade said he was pleased with his team's effort in the game.

“I've known (coach) Tommy (Brakel) for a long time,” McDade said. “I was at Crowley High School when he started coaching at North Crowley. I saw him build that program up, and he has built it into one of the top programs in the nation. They are really, really good.

“Any time you get to test yourself against that caliber of team, I think it is a good measuring stick for us. We got down early and battled back late. We had the opportunity to win it with a free throw late, but missed, and it went to overtime. It was just a war. They're a good team.”

McDade said that he was especially pleased to see his team compete as well as it did against North Crowley.

“I take it as a good progression for us,” McDade said. “Our guys aren't satisfied. We want more, and we truly understand that this is not district play, and a really strong district awaits us.”

McDade said he has had a couple of players really step up their game lately.

“Lil' Jordan Humphrey and Kirk Mason have come out and played very well, but I've got to give some kudos to Matt Landers and Holden Taylor. Those two guys have really rose to the challenge for us this year.”

This story was originally published December 26, 2014 at 1:44 PM with the headline "Dragons come back from Whataburger tourney, resume district."