Panthers pounce past Tigers
Photo by Braden McKinnon
Senior Braylon Stewart’s shot is blocked by Devonta Walker in the Tigers game against Magnolia Panthers on Dec. 13, 2021. The Panthers defeated the Tigers 68-39.
December 15, 2021
The Texas High Tigers (5-6) took on the Magnolia Panthers ( 4-0). Now that the football season has come to a close it is time for Tiger basketball. The Tigers traveled to Magnolia to take on the Panthers.
The Panthers are led by Derrian Ford who is ranked 5th in the state of Arkansas. Senior Guard Michael Thomas had the tough assignment of guarding him most of the night.
Senior guard Michael Thomas said “ Ford was bigger faster stronger than any other opponent so it’s a challenge to contain a guy who is great at getting to the basket and fighting through contact overall it was a tough but it was a challenge i never stepped down from”
The game started with a quick 6-0 start by the Panthers but the Tigers settled in after hitting some 3 point shots. The Panthers ended the quarter going on an 11-0 run but the Tigers felt very much in the game only being down 8.
The Tigers changed things up in the second quarter rotating move of an 8 man lineup with Senior guard Braylon Stewart, Junior CJ Brown and Temarcus Gray. Forwards Gray and Brown added size to the Tigers lineup. The Tiger Defense was cutting off passing lanes and forcing turnovers. The Tigers had trouble scoring off the turnover and the offense just scored 11 in the 2nd quarter. The Panthers wore down the Tigers defense as they could not capitalize on turnovers and finished the half up 36-22.
Coming out of the half it looked like the Tigers would do whatever it took to stop Ford as he finished the 1st half with 15 points. It seemed the Tigers just added fuel to Ford’s fire. As he had a big 3rd quarter capped off with an explosive poster dunk. The Tiger offense did not respond well and could only score 5 points in the 3rd ending the quarter 52- 27.
The Tigers still fought hard in the 4th quarter but it just seemed to be too little too late. Derrian Ford of Magnolia finished the night with 29 points. This was a tough game for the Tigers facing one of the best prospects in the country on the road. The Tigers kick off the New Year with their next home game being on Jan 1st vs Greenville.
