TEAMS INCLUDED: Burbank, Central Catholic, East Central, Edison, Harlandale, Holy Cross, Jefferson, Kennedy, Lanier, McCollum, Memorial, South San, Southwest.

Host McCollum (22-10, 12-2) won its sixth-consecutive game, bumping rival Harlandale (22-11, 11-3) out of second place in District 29-4A Tuesday by a slim margin. One of the two teams has swept the series each of the last five years. The Cowboys’ last previous sweep was in 2012.

McCollum outscored Harlandale 21-17 in the third quarter to claim the victory. The Cowboys also led 21-15 in the opening quarter, but Harlandale forged a 36-33 lead at halftime. Entering the final quarter, the Indians still had the upper hand, 48-46.

Seniors Nate Martinez and Joey Villarreal paced an amazingly balanced Cowboys lineup with 16 points apiece. Freshman Santiago Vasquez scored 15 points and sophomomore Tre Johnson had 14. Only six McCollum players scored.

Senior guard Joshua Rodriguez (4 steals, 4 assists) led Harlandale with 17 points. Fellow seniors Ram Torres (15 points, 6 rebounds) and Brandon Ramon (12 points, 14 rebounds, 6 steals) also scored in double figures. Jesus Maltos chipped in eight points and four rebounds. Mando Guerrero contributed three assists.

McCollum won the first meeting with Harlandale this year 75-68 Jan. 17 at Harlandale. Harlandale leads the all-time series with a 58-29-1 record.

Harlandale and McCollum will play as part of a bi-district doubleheader Tuesday in Gonzales. The Indians will play Victoria East (19-13) at 6 p.m. McCollum will play Victoria West (20-12) at 8 p.m.

East Central 76, Corpus Christi King 56

The Hornets (23-8, 9-1) locked up an outright District 28-5A title with the victory over last place Corpus Christi King (6-20, 0-10) in Corpus Christi.

East Central’s determination won over any possible road weariness. The Hornets made a statement by outscoring the Mustangs 24-6 in the opening quarter.

Senior Albert Jimenez led East Central with 15 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Ceddrick Ali contributed 14 points, four assists and four rebounds.

Jeremy Jones added 13 points for the Hornets. Brandon McClure scored 11. Junior Brandon Keno chipped in five steals.

South San 61, Corpus Christi Carroll 39

The Bobcats (15-16, 5-5) wrapped up third place in District 28-5A Tuesday with the win against Corpus Christi Carroll (17-10, 4-6). The teams were part of a three-way tie for third before tipoff.

Outstanding defense carried South San to a surprisingly convincing win at the Durbon Center.

The Bobcats took control in the first quarter, building an 18-5 cushion. They squelched the Tigers’ comeback hopes by outscoring them 25-10 in the third quarter.

Senior Eric Alcozer produced a career-high 32 points for South San. David Valdez added in 14 points. Olando Lopez scored nine.

Memorial 71, Kennedy 50

The Minutemen (11-18, 5-7) avoided a letdown from its victory over Medina Valley last weekend, and delivered a crushing blow to rival Kennedy (5-25, 3-11) Tuesday at Edgewood Gym.

Memorial’s second victory over the Rockets in district season entrenched it in fourth place in District 29-4A, to earn a playoff bid.

The Rockets were within 16-10 as the first quarter ended, but Memorial extended its lead to 37-21 at the half.

Senior Joe Aguilar was the top scorer for Memorial with 17 points. Joseph Aguillen finished with 15 points. Xavier Abrigo supplied 10 points.

Kennedy tied Uvalde (9-20, 3-11) for sixth place in 29-4A.

Steele 79, Southwest 76

Southwest (10-22, 4-6) came close to notching a sweep in the season series against District 28-5A runner-up Steele, but the Knights prevailed Tuesday on their home court. The loss dropped Southwest into a fourth-place tie and forced a tie-breaker game Friday with Corpus Christi Carroll (17-10, 4-6), which will take place 7 p.m. Friday at Victoria East.

Steele raced to a 27-16 first-quarter lead. Southwest continued to nibble away at the lead, however. The Dragons closed to 38-32 at halftime. They trailed 61-53 after three quarters.

Brian Perez led Southwest with 16 points, five rebounds and three steals. Devanta Hayes made five of six free throws and finished with 13 points. Aaron Embry provided 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots.

Hector Murillo added nine points and six rebounds for the Dragons. Ricardo Garcia grabbed eight rebounds and blocked two shots.

MORE TO COME