Boys Playoff Basketball Recap (2/21): Keller survives upset bid and more from Fort Worth area
Boys
Keller 53, Euless Trinity 51
Wyatt Bell hit the go-ahead floater with 4.5 seconds left and Sven Verloop deflected Trinity’s inbound pass with 2.7 on the clock as the Indians survived the upset bid in their 6A Region 1 playoff opener on Monday at UTA.
Keller won District 4-6A while Trinity came in fourth in 3-6A.
Keller (26-8) advances to the area round later this week against Tuesday’s winner between Odessa Permian and El Paso Franklin, which takes place at Franklin.
Jaylen Bell hit a three with seven seconds to go in the first half to pull Trinity within 30-29 at halftime. Then the Trojans came out on fire in the third quarter with a 13-6 run. Noel Kabanga was big on the boards and in the paint to push Trinity ahead to 42-36.
But Keller scored the next five points as Trinity’s lead was down to 42-41 at the end of the third quarter. Bell hit a Keller three late in the period.
Trinity’s lead was four with five minutes left in the game after a Kole Verdadero three. Keller tied it at 49 following a pair of free throws by Blake Bahr. Grayson Price gave the Indians a 51-49 lead with 2 1/2 left and Trinity tied it at the foul line.
Trinity had a chance to tie or win it with 2.7 seconds left with an inbound pass at half court, but Verloop deflected the pass attempt and the clock ran out. Bell led Keller with 12 points and Price added 11. Parker Hannah chipped in 10.
Byron Nelson 63, Haltom 59
Finley Bizjack, who finished the regular season with a Fort Worth-area leading 24.5 points per game, finished with a game-high 27 points with five threes as the Bobcats edged out the Buffalos in a 6A Region 1 bi-district game on Monday at UTA.
Byron Nelson advances to play Tuesday’s winner between San Angelo Central and EP Americas later this week.
The Bobcats controlled the first half with a 12-11 lead after the opening quarter and went into halftime up 28-23. The lead grew to 50-38 after the third following a 22-point quarter from Byron.
But Haltom out scored Byron 21-13 in the fourth quarter, however, the Buffs could never take the lead.
Haltom still had a chance to tie the game with under a minute left as Byron missed some key free throws, but the Buffs missed two driving layup attempts.
Bizjack hit from the foul line to make it four and Haltom missed the final shot.
Conner Lindsey scored 10 for the Bobcats. Marlon Carrington led Haltom with 25 points. Kelton Brookins added 16 points on five three-pointers.
Richland 56, WF Rider 37
Jourdyn Grandberry scored 22 points as the Royals eliminated Rider in a 5A Region 1 bi-district game on Monday in Bowie.
Richland improved to 26-6 and advances to the area round to play Tuesday’s winner between Wyatt and Arlington Seguin later this week.
Jalen Nettles added eight points for the Royals and Evan Willingham and Ky Walton chipped in seven apiece.
Richland led 19-11 after the first quarter and extended the lead to 33-22 at halftime. The Royals out scored Rider 16-8 in the final quarter.
FW Western Hills 58, Krum 46
The Cougars knocked off Krum in a 4A Region 1 bi-district game on Monday for the program’s first playoff win since 2007.
Western Hills (26-6) will play Tuesday’s winner between WF Hirschi and Gatesville in the area round later this week.
Ma’Javion Washington hit four threes on his way to a team-high 16 points. Quinton Marshall added 14.
The Cougars led 18-10 after the first quarter and 32-23 at halftime.
Western Hills held Krum to nine points in the fourth.
Mansfield Timberview 77, FW Southwest 49
Three Timberview Wolves scored 17 or more points in their 5A Region 1 bi-district victory over the Raiders on Monday in Fort Worth.
Timberview (31-4) will advance to area later this week to play Tuesday’s winner between Brewer and Grapevine.
Donovan O’Day led the Wolves with 21 points while Jared Washington and Chendall Weaver poured in 18 and 17 points.
Mansfield Legacy 63, FW Arlington Heights 50
Denton 54, Aledo 44
This story was originally published February 22, 2022 at 12:04 AM.
