AREA TEAMS INCLUDED: Brackenridge, Harlandale.
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For three quarters of Brackenridge’s Dec. 15 District 28-5A game at Harlandale, Eagles coach Joey Isaac could understand how Ebeneezer Scrooge felt on Christmas eve.
The scenes just kept getting worse, until the fourth quarter. Then the Eagles (13-5, 3-0) erupted for 38 points and overtook the Indians (6-12, 1-2) for an 88-81 victory that left Isaac feeling like Scrooge on Christmas Day.
“Only a group of seniors can do that,” Isaac said. “This is a group of guys I’ve had for three years now. They turned up the energy. I told them (Harlandale) had to stop making (three-pointers) sometime.”
Brackenridge, which shared first place with Jefferson (12-5, 3-0), outscored Harlandale 38-12 in the fourth quarter for the comeback win. The Indians made 14 3-point baskets, but none in the fourth quarter.
The Eagles also came from behind Dec. 18 to edge Lanier (8-11, 1-2) 70-69 at the Alamo Convocation Center. It was Brackenridge’s first win over the Voks in Isaac’s five years as coach.
“It was kind of stressful, but I’m glad we came out on top,” Isaac said. “We’ve been to overtime five times and it looked like it’d go down to the wire at the end. Jalen (Davis), Wally (Richard Wallace) and Guillermo (Quinones) stepped up and had great fourth quarters.”
Davis scored 24, Wallace 22 and Quinones 16 against Harlandale. Louis Ramos came off the bench to add 15 points. Harlandale was led by sophomore Rene Palomino with 24 points, including five 3-pointers. Ryan Blanquiz hit four 3-pointers and finished with 15. Chris Perez produced 12 points.
“We did a good job of sharing the ball and not worrying whether they took the shot or not,” Harlandale coach Chris Adamek said. “I’m really proud of them. It was a fantastic ballgame. (Brackenridge) has a fantastic team.”
The Indians led 70-50 with 6:44 remaining when Blanquiz split two free throws. Brackenridge’s surge began when it applied full-court pressure, spearheaded by senior Jonathan King and Quinones. The Eagles finished the game on a 26-3 run, taking the lead on a steal and layup from Quinones with 1:55 remaining.
“It was our hustle and intensity that won it,” Quinones said. “We just stuck with it, even when we were down 20 in the fourth quarter.”
Harlandale recovered to defeat Highlands (4-12, 0-2) 67-65 Dec. 18. Blanquiz scored 18 points, Perez 17 and Palomino 14 as the Indians outscored the Owls 24-18 in the fourth quarter to claim the win.
Armando Ferguson led Highlands with 17 points. Gerardo Marquez supplied 16.
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