Top-ranked LaPoynor blows by Nazareth, will play for first state title in 25 years
The UIL has since announced it has suspended the rest of the state tournament.
LaRue LaPoynor and Nazareth came into Thursday’s Class 1A state semifinals with 27 state tournament appearances combined, most among any of the semifinal games this season.
Shelbyville and Gruver (2A) are second with 15.
Nazareth has the most for any state qualifier with 18, but it was LaPoynor that dominated in the tournament opener at the Alamodome.
Senior guard Isaac Jackson posted a game-high 21 points on 9 of 15 shooting and 13 rebounds as the top-ranked Flyers dominated from the get-go for the 63-53 victory.
“It all started on the defensive end. Just talking, communicating and getting through screens,” LaPoynor coach Dean Nuckolls said. “Nazareth does a great job moving without the ball, setting screens and seeing the floor.”
It’s LaPoynor’s first trip to state since winning the 2A title in 1995. The Flyers (34-3) will play in the state final against defending champ Slidell (31-9) at 8:30 a.m. Saturday.
“It’s been unbelievable. It’s my 14th year at LaPoynor and we’ve worked so hard for this,” Nuckolls said. “I’ve had good teams before and thought ‘this is our shot’ and just come up short. We started 15-0 this season and won a couple of big tournaments and next thing you know, we’re ranked No. 1. Here we are today and we just keep fighting and keep rolling.”
No. 6 Nazareth, which was at state for the third straight season, ends with a 27-10 record.
The Swifts led for all but 22 seconds when Nathaneal Van Dijk hit a pair of free throws for a 4-2 lead, but the Flyers ended the quarter leading 21-11. They led 38-24 at the break.
“Anytime you can get stops then get a bucket and do that multiple times in a row, frustration is going to set in naturally,” Nuckolls said. “And it helped that Isaac was on fire to start the game.”
“Jump shot was working today,” Jackson said. “Coach says my mid-range is the best part of my game.”
LaPoynor shot 53% while outrebounding Nazareth 36-23. The Flyers had a 30-20 edge in points in the paint.
Kamron Eldridge added 13 points for the Flyers. Van Dijk led the Swifts with 12.
This story was originally published March 12, 2020 at 10:03 AM.
