HS Boys Basketball: Recap for the Week of 1/29

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- The basketball season continues to wind down, with teams still fighting for their shot at the playoffs. All parts of the district standings saw movement in the last week due to a handful of crushing defeats and stunning upsets. Here are the games from last week and the final scores for each.

1/31 Cleveland vs. New Caney

The New Caney Eagles hit the road to visit Cleveland to start their week in defense of their newly gained fourth-place spot in the district standings.

After a close first quarter, the Eagles found their separation. The Indians were held to single-digit points the rest of the game and slipped farther away on the scoreboard. New Caney’s stout defense allowed the offense to reliably build on the lead without fear of letting it slip away. The gradual effort from the Eagles saw the team take home a 48-23 lead that kept the team in fourth for the time being.

1/31 College Park vs. Oak Ridge

The district’s top team hosted Oak Ridge on Wednesday to solidify their hold on the district title.

The War Eagles came to contend with the top dog in the first half, taking a four-point lead on the Cavs as the teams headed for the locker rooms. Whether due to the changes from Clifton McNeely or the weathering of their team, Oak Ridge could not keep up their pace during the second half. The overwhelming power of College Park took over the game during the third quarter, as seen by the 25-3 differential. The Cavaliers snatched a 71-46 victory due to their adjustments in the second half.

1/31 Grand Oaks vs. Conroe

An excited crowd packed the Grand Oaks High School gym for the Grizzleis’ senior night against the visiting Conroe Tigers.

Conroe was caught flat-footed against the Grizzlies in the first half due to the constant shooting from Grand Oaks and lackluster offense in response. A dominant inside presence from Grand Oaks compounded the issue by snagging second-chance opportunities for easy put-backs under the rim. The Tigers had a limited response to what they were facing, and their defeat was all but sealed. Some free throws in the clutch from Grand Oaks secured the 58-51 win for the Grizzlies ahead of their game with Willis for the second-place spot in the standings.

1/31 Caney Creek vs. The Woodlands

The Woodlands needed to string together wins if they hoped to jump back into the playoffs. Their first task was to start the streak against the Panthers on the road.

Caney Creek found itself behind early due to the impressive defense that has become a staple of the Highlander team. The Panthers failed to score double-digits in the first or second quarters, while The Woodlands had all the time they needed to build a lead. The cushion was enough for the Highlanders to coast the remainder of the game. Despite a strong finish from Caney Creek, the deficit was too large to overcome, and the Highlanders exited with a 70-48 win that got the team back into a winning groove.

2/3 The Woodlands vs. Willis

After getting a much-needed win on Wednesday, the Highlanders needed to replicate their winning ways against the Wildkats.

The same plan of keeping the opposing team in a low-scoring duel worked during the first half for the Highlanders. The team kept the Wildkat scorers from taking efficient shots near the rim, and disruptive hands poked away passes outside the arch. Willis’ answer to the 10-point deficit had to wait for the second half, as the team finally found its footing. Better shot selection and faster ball movement allowed the Wildkats to draw even with The Woodlands at the end of regulation and force overtime. The extra period went back to the Highlanders, who resumed their winning method of slow pace and sturdy defense. The return to the initial plan saw the Highlanders succeed in the clutch and win the game 62-57.

The win for The Woodlands situates the team for a jump back into the playoffs should New Caney lose their game against College Park.

2/3 Oak Ridge vs. Caney Creek

Oak Ridge got set to host the Panthers in the team’s attempt to stay above the last-place spot in the district standings.

Unfortunately for the War Eagles, Caney Creek played like a team far above their spot in the standings. A red-hot 19-9 opening quarter set the Panthers off to a great start that established the momentum on their side. Some minor runs from Oak Ridge attempted to bring the contest back, but the Panthers were too solid to overturn. A final score of 58-47 in favor of Caney Creek tied the teams in district record with few games remaining to change either spot.

2/3 Conroe vs. Cleveland

Following their tough loss to Grand Oaks, the Tigers looked to bounce back against the Indians at home.

Quarter-by-quarter stats are unavailable, but the 55-45 Conroe win indicates a spirited fight from Cleveland throughout the game. However, the scoring output from the Tigers was enough to secure the team’s win in a move that keeps the team on the outside looking in for the playoffs.

2/3 New Caney vs. College Park

The final game of the week held major implications for both teams, with the Eagles needing a win to stay playoff-eligible and the Cavs needing a win to clinch a share of the district title.

It was another relatively slow start for College Park in the first quarter, with New Caney keeping the contest within three points. But, a slip-up from the Eagles and a down second quarter were all the tools the Cavs needed to build the separation needed to seal a victory. A solid second half for College Park ensured there would be no hope of a comeback, and the Cavaliers exited with a 67-46 win and a share of the district title.

New Caney’s loss, paired with the Highlander win, puts The Woodlands as the fourth-placed team in the district standings. Unless the Eagles can recapture their momentum and catch the Highlanders slipping, their hopes of making the postseason are over.