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Big fourth quarter leads Jesuit past Plano

BY Kevin Hageland Staff Writer

Published: Friday, January 23, 2009 10:44 PM CST

After trailing Jesuit by as many as 14 points earlier in the evening, Plano Senior seemed to have all the momentum after Wildcats sophomore Rashaad Smith scored back-to-back baskets to move the team within 43-41.

The Rangers answer was EJ McWoods as the senior guard returned to the game and promptly made consecutive baskets before assisting on another one to put Jesuit back in command and on its way to a 56-47 victory.

“Against [McWoods] was the one match-up we weren’t sure about coming in,” said Phil Parlin, Plano head coach. “He really took over the game, but that’s what seniors do.”

McWoods’ presence sparked Jesuit to an 11-2 run as the Rangers made up for their deficiencies at the line with a dominating showing on the boards in the fourth quarter. The visitor’s late push put them up 54-43 with less than four minutes to go.

Plano would cut that advantage to seven points, but the Wildcats got no closer and slid back to the pack in the race for a playoff spot with the nine-point defeat.

“Without a doubt we are back in the pack now,” Parlin said. “There are four teams fighting for two spots and we are going to have some huge games coming up in these last six.”

Jesuit may have scored 108 points Tuesday against McKinney Boyd but it was apparent early the Rangers wouldn’t reach that number Friday night as neither team scored for nearly three minutes to open the game.

Plano sophomore Clayton Parlin got the first points on the board as he cut through the lane for a bucket with 5:16 remaining in the opening quarter. The Wildcats maintained a two-point cushion at 8-6 after back-to-back three-point plays the hard way from senior Rex Burkhead, who had 12 points and seven rebounds.

It was apparent in the opening stages of the game that Jesuit was going to run, and the Rangers did get the final score of the first quarter to tie the game 8-8, but both teams were trying some razzle dazzle n though neither with particular success.

“They really like to push the ball,” Smith said.

That tempo included a number of traveling calls as neither team was able to establish a cushion of more than two points. That is until McWoods, who had a team-high 13 points, buried a mid-range jumper to give the Rangers a 13-9 advantage. That basket was part of an 8-3 Jesuit run to start the quarter.

That run was broken by Parlin, who dropped in a floater with 3:29 left in the half to pull the Wildcats to within 16-13.

Jesuit, however, had the answer for that and it came in the form of an 8-1 run sparked by three-pointers from McWoods and James Leinbaugh.

Plano got some offense going late with inside baskets from junior David Thompson, who also had seven rebounds, and Smith, the first Wildcat field goals by someone other than Burkhead and Parlin. The home team, however, was still down, 27-20, at the half.

Plano’s offense was hampered somewhat when junior Zach Robles left the game in the second quarter with a thigh bruise. Smith stepped up and finished the game with a team-high 17 points to go along with six rebounds, but those stats weren’t enough to console him.

“I would rather have had zero points and our team have gotten the win,” he said.

Jesuit set the tone for the second half on the first possession as Josh Bauer made a steal and then drove half the court for a lay-in. After a three-pointer from Jamil Bailey and another Plano turnover and Rangers basket it appeared the visitors may cruise as they established a 34-20 lead with 5:41 left in the third quarter.

But Plano called a timeout and that sparked the team as the Wildcats went on a 13-2 run thanks to a double dose of field goals from Burkhead and three-pointers by junior Brandon Bailey.

“Our guys gave a great effort and really fought hard tonight,” Parlin said. “I think the difference was that Jesuit made plays when they needed to and we couldn’t get the stops in those situations. But our guys battled and showed how far they have come from the start of the year.”

Jesuit composed itself, although three missed putbacks didn’t help, and the Rangers built their lead back to 41-35 at the close of the quarter before closing out the game, 56-47.

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