For the second straight year, the Lions come away empty
Austin – Perhaps the most anticipated matchup of the tournament paired top ranked Yates and No. 2 Dallas Madison in the Class 3A Championship game. A matchup that’s been brewing, as far back as late January.
Despite its top ranking, Yates comeback bid fail short after a third quarter 4-0 run which yielded a 50-46 lead, before Dallas Madison (32-4) countered and served the Lions with its second straight title game defeat, 85-72 on Saturday afternoon at the Frank Erwin Center.
For the pasted two years, Yates have fell victim to a Dallas ISD school. Last year in Class 4A, Dallas Kimball provided a late shocker, 78-75, upsetting the top ranked Lions.
“We didn’t shoot the ball as well as we normally do,” says Yates coach Wise. Some of the guys who shoot the ball were off today.
Senior center Sadiq Inuwa’s back-to-back layups gave Yates what looked to be a promising 50-46 lead with 4:32 left in the third quarter. But, a determined Trojan squad wouldn’t back down, as it matched basket for basket with the Lions.
“When Yates came back, my thoughts were to keep playing,” Dallas Madison coach Damien Mobley said. We’re a discipline ball club and we understand that we have to play 32 minutes. The game is not won in 28 or 29 minutes and we don’t know about them, but we’ve been down before. We also respond better when we’re down.”
MVP guard Derrick Smith who led the Trojans with 27 points and 14 rebounds and smooth shooting sophomore guard Admon Gilder followed with consecutive treys which tied the game at 52, after Inuwa’s rebound score.
After, forward JD Wallace, center Devonte Robinson and Smith outscored the Lions 6-0 to take command of the third quarter, leading 58-52.
The team’s leading scorer Gilder finished with 19 and Devonte Robinson tacked on 15 for Dallas Madison.
Uncharacteristic, the Lions (32-5) trailed most of the game but kept within striking distance until tying the score at 40 when Inuwa scored on a bank shot. Afterward, the battle was on, with both teams trading points until Yates forced a pair of stops, coupled with consecutive baskets to lead by four points.
Inuwa paced Yates with 22 points, Melvin Swift scored 13, Joseph Anderson and JC Washington added 12 each.
The fourth quarter belonged to the Trojans who capitalized on Yates turnovers and poor free throw shooting. From late in the third quarter through the final quarter, Yates missed seven free throws.
“Before we leave the locker room, we discuss the three keys to victory which are, own the glass, win the rebound war and own at least fifty percent of the loose balls,” added Mobley.
Yates opened the game, jumping out to a 4-0 lead. Dallas Madison soon tied the game and turned the momentum in its favor with Smith’s layup and Gilder’s trey, giving the Trojans a 13-8 lead.
The game’s continued quick pace watched Gilder stroked another trey while receiving offensive help from teammates to help build a 24-14 lead after one quarter of play.
The Trojan’s never lost site of the game, battling the Lions at every corner.
