Sam Houston breezes to quarterfinals; Harlandale snares OT win in bi-district round

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TEAMS INCLUDED: Central Catholic, Harlandale, Highlands, McCollum, Memorial, South San, Sam Houston.

When Central Catholic was 3-6, some observers must have doubted that this year’s Buttons would finish their season on the doorstep of the TAPPS Class 5A state finals.

Once the senior-dominated Buttons (25-8) jelled, they were pretty close to unstoppable. Central Catholic won 22 of its last 24 games to end their season Saturday as one of the state’s top eight teams.

The Buttons, No. 7 in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Large Private School state rankings, lost 58-54 to No. 2 Plano John Paul II Saturday afternoon at A&M Consolidated High School in College Station.

Central Catholic trailed the state quarterfinal game just 14-10 after one quarter. John Paul (25-6) maintained the margin and led 25-21 at halftime.

The Buttons advanced with a 67-51 win over Argyle Liberty Christian (12-21) in the area round Friday at A&M Consolidated.

Central Catholic established a 19-13 first-quarter lead against the Warriors. By halftime, the Buttons had extended their lead to 35-22. They led 51-35 entering the final quarter.

Individual statistics for Central Catholic from both games were unavailable.

Sam Houston 76, Wimberley 44

Sam Houston 82, La Grange 63

The Hurricanes (24-9) roared into postseason play, cruising to a pair of convincing victories in the opening week.

Sam Houston, No. 6 in the TABC Class 3A poll, advanced to play No. 24 Fredericksburg (28-8) in the Region IV quarterfinals. If the Hurricanes win, they’ll advance to the Class 3A region finals for the fourth-consecutive year.

Senior Jordon Harris led the Hurricanes with 20 points in the bi-district win over Wimberley (10-21) at Canyon Lake. Sophomore Robert Christian supplied 18 points.

At Luling in the area round, Harris again led the way with 24 points against La Grange (19-12). Raymonte Prime added 13 points. Devin Allen and freshman Jawon Anderson each scored 12.

Harlandale 68, Victoria East 66 (OT)

Corpus Christi Flour Bluff 76, Harlandale 67

Harlandale (23-12) began the postseason with an upset win Tuesday over District 30-4A co-champion Victoria East (19-14), but the Indians’ run ended with an area-round game Friday against Corpus Christi Flour Bluff in Three Rivers.

In the bi-district game at Gonzales, senior Armando Guerrero gave Harlandale a 67-66 lead on a three-point shot with 11 seconds left in overtime. The Indians secured the win from the foul line.

Victoria East’s Datryan Evans scored the first four points in the extra session before the Indians rallied. The game was tied 60-60 at the end of regulation.

The Indians were tied 29-29 at halftime, but the Titans led 58-49 with four minutes left in the fourth quarter.

Harlandale senior Ram Torres mustered a team-best 24 points and eight rebounds. Brandon Ramon sank eight free throws and scored 20 points. Ramon also recorded 14 rebounds, eight steals and five assists.

Jose Salinas scored nine points on three 3-point baskets. Senior guard Jacob Martinez contributed five steals and four assists. Junior Tommy Vital added three steals.

Against Flour Bluff (19-12), the Indians trailed 36-23 at halftime and 60-37 after three quarters.

Cody Brewer scored 24 points for the Hornets. Harlandale individual statistics were unavailable from the game.

Victoria West 59, McCollum 57

McCollum (22-11) had a five-point lead at several stages of the fourth quarter Tuesday in Gonzales. In the final half-minute, however, the Warriors (21-12) claimed the Class 4A bi-district win.

The Cowboys were tied 55-55 on a three-pointer from sophomore Tre Johnson with about 55 seconds to play, answering a three-pointer from the Warriors’ Victor Simmons. McCollum re-tied it 57-57 with 29 seconds left. Victoria West responded with the game-winning shot from Chris Erskine (17 points) in the closing seconds.

Cowboys led 14-13 as the first quarter ended and 29-26 at halftime. McCollum took a one-point lead into the final quarter.

McCollum individual statistics were unavailable

Corpus Christi Calallen 70, Memorial 58

The Wildcats (20-10) opened a 14-8 first-quarter lead and held off a determined effort from Memorial thereafter in a Class 4A bi-district game Tuesday at Edgewood Gym. The Minutemen (11-19) were making their first postseason appearance in five years.

Memorial closed within 29-26 at halftime and trailed just 41-37 entering the fourth quarter. Calallen scored 29 points in the final period.

Steven Weaver led Calallen with 24 points. Individual statistics for Memorial were not available.

Clemens 91, Highlands 73

The host Buffaloes (29-4), No. 11 in the TABC Class 4A poll, overwhelmed Highlands (16-16) in the second half of a bi-district game Tuesday in Schertz.

The Owls led the District 27-4A champions 20-18 at the end of the first quarter. Highlands was within 45-40 at halftime. Clemens raced to 38 third-quarter points for a commanding win.

Sophomore Joseph Jackson was Highlands’ top scorer with 16 points. Anthony Garza scored 13 points. Christopher Hartfield (11 points) and Jamaria Moody (10 points) also scored in double figures. JerMichael Shirley scored nine.

Cayne Edwards scored 24 points for Clemens.

Brandeis 65, South San 33

The Broncos (20-7) bolted to a 16-4 but couldn’t put the Class 5A bi-district game out of reach until the second half.

The Bobcats (15-17) fought back to within 24-20 at halftime Tuesday at the Bill Greehey Arena on the St. Mary’s University campus. Brandeis outscored South San 16-5 in the third quarter.

South San individual statistics were unavailable.