Texas High Tigers boys basketball hosted the Sulphur Springs Wildcats on Jan 30. The game started with the Wildcats winning the tip and scoring with an easy pick and roll. The Tigers got on board with a three point shot by Kyle Wright but the Sulphur Springs towering defense kept the Tigers at bay for most of the 1st quarter, with the quarter ending 12-17 in favor of the Wildcats.

The 2nd quarter started quite the same with Texas High not being able to score. However, after a fiery dunk by Sulphur Springs making the score 22-16 midway through the the 2nd quarter, the tide started to change. Texas High went on an 8-0 run spurred by two three pointers to make the score 24-22, their first lead of the game. The half would end with Texas High leading 29-24.

Sulphur Springs got off to a hot start in the beginning of the 3rd quarter, tying the game at 35 with five minutes left in the 3rd quarter. Texas High continued their strong performance by going on a strong run to finish that quarter with the score being 47-41.

“We knew it would be a hard fought game,” junior Cole Drumm said. “This was a big turnaround for us beating the best team in the district. This should boost us for the rest of the season.”

The start of the 4th quarter displayed the speed of Texas High, scoring on multiple fast breaks and outrunning the Wildcats, increasing their lead 57-44 with five minutes remaining. The Wildcats started to mount a comeback by using their big men to score in the paint and racking up fouls. But the Tigers offensive tenacity kept their opponent from catching up and clutch free throws down the stretch allowed the Tigers to hold on and win 77-66.

“This win is going to build our confidence for the next games,” senior Elias Thurman said. “We have to get more consistent but if we play like that every day, we can beat anybody.”