Evans and Petteway’s Offensive rebounds was much for Cougars
Pasadena – Anticipation set in on an overflowing crowd that had taken their seat hours before the game started. Fans shared their thoughts of how the outcome would be as they waited eagerly.
Unable to accommodate the crowd size in their towns, the two communities were forced to drive to Pasadena which provided more seats, but still seem a bit small for the many fans that showed up. The game sold out on the previous Monday, the first day tickets went on sale.
It was more than just another district game for the longtime rivals. The two communities showed up ready to root for their team on as they battled.
The fifth ranked Galveston Ball Tornados surprised longtime rival La Marque Cougars 81-76 Monday night at Phillips Field House in a highly anticipated match up of state ranked teams.
La Marque took a quick 4 point lead on Lewis’s jumpers as fans watched a fast pace first quarter end in a 17-17 tie.
Galveston Ball (23-2, 4-0) struck first in the second quarter when Cory Laday scored on a layup to put the Tornados up 21-17 with 7:00 minutes to go in the second quarter. Mike Evans and Terran Petteway overwhelmed the Cougars with stellar inside play, scoring transition baskets, controlling the boards while picking up timely offensive rebounds.
Right after Petteway stretched the lead to 27-21, Cougar’s Greer knocked down back to back 3-pointers tying the game at 27 with 5:45 to go.
Four Tors finished in double figures, Petteway and Evans led the Tors with a combined effort of 43 points and 19 rebounds while guards Dedrick Archie and Laday scored 13 and 12 points respectfully.
Both teams played sloppy at times, turning the ball over but most were contributed to pressure defense.
Top ranked La Marque (22-2, 4-1) tied the game again at 33 when Lewis scored on a fast break layup and eventually took the lead on Johnson’s trey, 36-35. The Tornados responded with a 6-0 run that included Evans connecting on a short jumper in the lane, Dietrich Johnson stole the inbounds pass under the goal as he layed it in and Archie completed the run with a layup to give the Tornados a 41-36 lead.
Moments later Archie used a couple quick moves to take advantage of a layup while being fouled on the shot. He converted the free throw as La Marque trailed 44-38 before halftime.
A 7-0 run pulled the Cougars within one in the third quarter, 46-45 after Lewis made nailed a 3-pointer and Johnson’s layup. Soon after Galveston Ball forced a couple turnovers leading up to scores. Evans and Petteway came away with a couple of offensive rebounds that gave the Tornados a cushion, 55-47 midways through the quarter. Constance hustle helped Galveston Ball to build a ten point lead on Laday dish to Evans for the layup, 57-47.
Laday grabbed a loose ball and sprinted down the court on a fast break and was fouled while converting a layup, he also added another layup to increase the lead, 62-51. But two treys from Dequentin Greer and Johnson stopped the bleeding for the Cougars as they close the gap, 64-57 to end the third quarter.
Evans electrified the crowd with a picture perfect Ally Hoop from Laday to bring the crow to its feet. The very next time down the floor Evans hurt the Cougars again with an offensive rebound to keep the Tornados on a roll, up 68-59.
Down the stretch the 6’6 Evans and Petteway proved to be more than then what the Cougars could handle, on the offensive boards as well as scoring in transition.
Lewis and Johnson converted 3-pointers to get the Cougars within six, 74-68. Missed opportunities mounted against La Marque as the Tornados scored and ran out the clock.
Texas Commit Julien Lewis led La Marque with 28 points.