Brock dominates 4th quarter to surge past East Chambers and into 9th state title game
According to the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Class 3A state rankings, Thursday’s game between Brock and Winnie East Chambers featured the top-2 ranked teams in the state.
The No. 1 team prevailed as Brock scored 23 points in the final period to pull away from East Chambers, 58-49 in a 3A state semifinal game at the Alamodome. The Eagles (34-5) advance to their ninth state title game in program history.
Brock will play Dallas Madison (20-15), which knocked off San Antonio Cole on Saturday.
“These kids grow up with an expectation to win,” Brock coach Zach Boxell said. “They see it being done, know what it takes and how much work they have to put in.”
Scott Thomas beat the third-quarter buzzer to give the Eagles a 35-34 lead and Brock controlled the final period with two free throws by Treston Hughes to extend it to 39-36 with 6:18 left.
Bradon Smith’s jumper made it 41-38 with three minutes to go and his 3-point play gave Brock a 44-38 lead with 2:02 remaining. Smith finished with 14 points.
Thomas, who scored a game-high 19, recorded a layup that increased it to double digits shortly after.
“Second half we found our way back and finished it out with a great fourth quarter,” Boxell said.
The Eagles scored the game’s first eight points, but East Chambers (31-3) used a 10-0 run to grab a 20-18 lead late in the second quarter. Thomas banked in a shot at the buzzer to tie the game at 22.
“First half we came out and did a great job at handling their press and slowing it down, and being patient,” Boxell said. “We took some things away from them defensively, but the second quarter was their quarter. I had to wake them up. I knew if we could do what we’re capable of doing, we were going to have fun. We just had to be a little more intense and stronger with the ball.”
Thomas grabbed a team-high seven rebounds and Cooper Allen added seven points, six boards, six assists and four blocks.
“Scott and Bradon got big-time baskets when we needed them late in the game and Cooper did a great job at the free-throw line, and holding down their best player for most of the game,” Boxell said.
Brock held the Bucs to 40 percent shooting and 2 of 18 from behind the arc. Derek DeMoss led East Chambers with 16 points.
This story was originally published March 7, 2019 at 3:10 PM.
