BASK: No.8 Tigers are Regional tourney bound

Tenaha's Cobi Steadman drives the lane against LaPoynor during
Monday night's Regional Quarterfinal contest. Steadman scored
nine points as the Tigers won, 58-51. (Photo by John Krueger)

LONGVIEW -- Last year's Class 1A State Semifinalists are benefitting from their trip to Austin as the No. 8-ranked Tenaha Tigers weathered the storm of a torrential LaPoynor comeback in the second half Monday night and advanced to the Region III Tournament with a 58-51 victory over the Flyers here in Pine Tree Gymnasium.

The Tigers (23-5) will now face No.14-ranked Martin's Mill on Friday in the Class 1A Division I Region III Semifinals in Stephen F. Austin's William R. Johnson Coliseum in Nacogdoches. The game will tip-off at 3 p.m.

In the other semi-final on Friday, No.1-ranked Cayuga (18-2) will take on Avery at 5 p.m. The Region III Division I Final will be played Saturday at 12-noon.

Tenaha appeared to be on cruise control early on as the Tigers used their quickness and speed advantage to build a 16-7 lead at the end of the opening period and a 30-20 advantage at intermission.

"I think after looking at Mount Enterprise last week, LaPoynor kind of underestimated us a little bit," reasoned Tenaha Head Coach Todd Bodden. "They knew we were quick, but I don't think they really thought we were as quick and as athletic and had more speed than those guys.

"But [LaPoynor] kept fighting back. I told our guys at halftime that they didn't have anything to lose and they were going to come at us with everything they have in the second half. But if we weather the storm we'll be alright.

"I told them that we're going to win this game with defense and free throws and that's what we were able to do."

Bodden was correct. The Flyers (29-5), winners of their last six games and 10 of their last 11, outhustled the Tigers on the boards in the third quarter and hit 7-of-15 (46.7%) field goals, while limiting Tenaha to just 3-of-14 (21.4%) as they outscored the Tigers 21-10 to take a 41-40 lead entering the final eight minutes of play. LaPoynor's Justin Hilton, who came into the game averaging 24.8-points per contest, scored 13 of his 28 points in the third quarter.

But the Tigers turned the momentum - and the ballgame - back into their favor in the fourth period. Tenaha converted 10-of-13 (76.9%) from the charity stripe and forced six Flyer turnovers, while committing only three as they outscored LaPoynor 18-10 in the period for the win.

Reginald Davis, who led the Tigers with 24 points, scored nine points in the final quarter. He also added 11 rebounds. Jamon Moore scored 16 points, Jacobi Steadman chipped in nine, Victor Johnson threw in five and Shaquille Mitchell dropped in four points.

Moore also tallied six boards, while Octavius Griffith and Steadman had five apiece and Mitchell pulled down four.

"Experience always pays off, and [having gone to the state tournament last year] was a big factor tonight. Now they're expected to make the plays with the game on the line. Our kids have been in tough situations before and they can weather the storm when it comes."

Early on it didn't appear as if Tenaha had to worry about that as the Tigers utilized a pair of 3-pointers to come out of the gate by scoring the first 11 points of the contest in the first 4:31. It wasn't until the 3:10 mark of the opening quarter that Hilton hit a jumper to get the Flyers started.

Tenaha created havoc for LaPoynor in the opening period with its pressure defense, forcing seven Flyer turnovers in the first eight minutes of play.

With a 9-point lead after the first quarter, LaPoynor scored the first five points of the second quarter to trim the THS lead to 16-12. But Steadman hit his second 3-pointer of the night at the 3:19 mark of the period to push the lead to 23-13 and Tenaha went into the locker room with a 10-point halftime lead.

After LaPoynor took the lead at the end of the third quarter, the teams went back and forth in the early moments of the final stanza. The Flyers held their final lead at 48-47 with 5:04 left in the quarter. But Davis hit a 15-footer and Moore turned a LaPoynor turnover into a layup and a 3-point play after he was fouled and the Tigers led 52-48 with 3:05 remaining.

The Flyers, who were in foul trouble, then lost two players to fouls in the next 1:30 and the Tigers went to the line down the stretch, hitting 6-of-8 from the line in the final 1:21 to ice the contest.

Class 1A Division Region III Playoff Results & Regional Tourney Schedule

STATS AT A GLANCE
Scoring By Quarters
LaPoynor        07  13  21  10 = 51
Tenaha          16  14  10  18 = 58
Leading Scorers: LaPoynor - Justin Hilton 28; Tanner Burch 8; Cory Brewer 6; James Cofer 4; Shaun Jones 3; Chris Johannes 2. Tenaha - Reginald Davis 24; Jamon Moore 16; Jacobi Steadman 9; Victor Johnson 9; shaquille Mitchell 4.
Leading Rebounders: Tenaha - Davis 11; Johnson 8; Moore 6; Steadman 5; Griffith 5; Mitchell 4.
Turnovers: LaPoynor 19; Tenaha 16.
Field Goal Shooting: LaPoynor 16-of-54 (29.6%); Tenaha 16-of-50 (32.0%).
Free Throw Shooting: LaPoynor 13-of-22 (59.0%); Tenaha 21-of-26 (80.8%).
Records: LaPoynor 29-5; Tenaha 23-5.
Up Next: Tenaha will play Martin's Mill on Friday at 3 p.m. at Stephen F. Austin's William R. Johnson Coliseum in the Class 1A Division I Region III Semifinal.