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10-4A BOYS BASKETBALL: Poteet falls off playoff pace with tough loss to North Forney
By DEVIN HASSON, dhasson@starlocalnews.com
Friday's game between Poteet and North Forney was not an official playoff game, but it was about as close as it could get.
With just four games left in the regular season, the teams entered the contest tied for the fourth and final playoff berth, meaning the winner would gain a huge advantage for the stretch run.
The Pirates put themselves in good position but could not hold on late as the Falcons rallied to force overtime where they pulled out a 53-49 victory.
North Forney takes over sole possession of fourth place with a 7-4 record while Poteet drops back into fifth at 6-5.
The game was tied at 22-22 at halftime, but the Pirates were able to open a six-point lead going to the fourth quarter.
However, the Falcons closed the game on a 14-8 spurt and then outscored Poteet 9-5 in the extra period to earn a pivotal win.
Verkedric Vaughns had 15 points, Nathaniel Gaines scored 12 and Chris Murphy added 10 for the Pirates. Alec Harris scored 21 points and Roy Neugent chipped in with 12 for North Forney.
That was not the only big game of the night, as Highland Park topped district-leading Carollton Newman Smith, 77-59.
That meant that West Mesquite's 98-58 victory over Forney not only allowed them to stay tied for second with the Scots at 8-3, but also move to within a game of the first-place Trojans (9-2).
The Wranglers were smarting after a loss to Newman Smith on Tuesday and they stepped on the gas against Forney, scoring 26 points or more in each of the first three quarters to race to a 80-40 lead.
West Mesquite had four players in double figures, led by Trent Edwards with 17 points. Adrian Walker scored 16 points, while Braylon Rayson and Jalen Etienne added 14 and 13 points, respectively.
Every game is critical from this point on, including the MISD battle on Tuesday when Poteet travels across town to take on West Mesquite.
The Pirates must also play at Newman Smith on Friday before closing the season against Forney.
North Forney will be favored in games against Carrollton Creekview and Terrell before finishing wtih Highland Park.
STANDINGS
Carrollton Newman Smith 9-2 19-10
West Mesquite 8-3 20-9
Highland Park 8-3 22-8
North Forney 7-4 19-7
Poteet 6-5 11-16
Carrollton Creekview 4-7 12-17
Forney 2-9 8-21
Terrell 0-11 3-28
x-clinched playoff berth
Friday's Results
West Mesquite 98, Forney 58
North Forney 53, Poteet 49
Highland Park 77, Carrollton Newman Smith 59
Carrollton Creekview 64, Terrell 39
Tuesday's Games
Poteet at West Mesquite
Forney at Carrollton Newman Smith
Carrollton Creekview at North Forney
Highland Park at Terrell
Friday's Games
Carrollton Creekview at West Mesquite
Poteet at Carrollton Newman Smith
Terrell at North Forney
Highland Park at Forney
Tuesday's Games
West Mesquite at Terrell
Forney at Poteet
Carrollton Newman Smith at Carrollton Creekview
North Forney at Highland Park
With just four games left in the regular season, the teams entered the contest tied for the fourth and final playoff berth, meaning the winner would gain a huge advantage for the stretch run.
The Pirates put themselves in good position but could not hold on late as the Falcons rallied to force overtime where they pulled out a 53-49 victory.
North Forney takes over sole possession of fourth place with a 7-4 record while Poteet drops back into fifth at 6-5.
The game was tied at 22-22 at halftime, but the Pirates were able to open a six-point lead going to the fourth quarter.
However, the Falcons closed the game on a 14-8 spurt and then outscored Poteet 9-5 in the extra period to earn a pivotal win.
Verkedric Vaughns had 15 points, Nathaniel Gaines scored 12 and Chris Murphy added 10 for the Pirates. Alec Harris scored 21 points and Roy Neugent chipped in with 12 for North Forney.
That was not the only big game of the night, as Highland Park topped district-leading Carollton Newman Smith, 77-59.
That meant that West Mesquite's 98-58 victory over Forney not only allowed them to stay tied for second with the Scots at 8-3, but also move to within a game of the first-place Trojans (9-2).
The Wranglers were smarting after a loss to Newman Smith on Tuesday and they stepped on the gas against Forney, scoring 26 points or more in each of the first three quarters to race to a 80-40 lead.
West Mesquite had four players in double figures, led by Trent Edwards with 17 points. Adrian Walker scored 16 points, while Braylon Rayson and Jalen Etienne added 14 and 13 points, respectively.
Every game is critical from this point on, including the MISD battle on Tuesday when Poteet travels across town to take on West Mesquite.
The Pirates must also play at Newman Smith on Friday before closing the season against Forney.
North Forney will be favored in games against Carrollton Creekview and Terrell before finishing wtih Highland Park.
STANDINGS
Carrollton Newman Smith 9-2 19-10
West Mesquite 8-3 20-9
Highland Park 8-3 22-8
North Forney 7-4 19-7
Poteet 6-5 11-16
Carrollton Creekview 4-7 12-17
Forney 2-9 8-21
Terrell 0-11 3-28
x-clinched playoff berth
Friday's Results
West Mesquite 98, Forney 58
North Forney 53, Poteet 49
Highland Park 77, Carrollton Newman Smith 59
Carrollton Creekview 64, Terrell 39
Tuesday's Games
Poteet at West Mesquite
Forney at Carrollton Newman Smith
Carrollton Creekview at North Forney
Highland Park at Terrell
Friday's Games
Carrollton Creekview at West Mesquite
Poteet at Carrollton Newman Smith
Terrell at North Forney
Highland Park at Forney
Tuesday's Games
West Mesquite at Terrell
Forney at Poteet
Carrollton Newman Smith at Carrollton Creekview
North Forney at Highland Park
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