Yates flexes muscle in defeating cross-town rival Wheatley

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Rebounds and second chance points won out in the Lion’s den

 

Yates vs. Wheatley, what else needs to be said?  Whenever the two cross paths, it’s simply show time, above the rim action and filled with thrills.  No it’s not basketball season just yet, but enough is never enough when it comes to Yates and Wheatley.

 

Battling it out in front of a packed house with a chance to advance to the fourth round of Super 16 Extravaganza Boys’ High School Fall Championship on the Campus of Yates High School, the Lions got the last word against cross-town rival Wheatley, with a 91-81 knock-down drag-out victory this afternoon.

 

‘It was a good intense game; it’s always like that when Yates and Wheatley play.  We practice the way we play, we are on a mission.  Coach Wise talks to us every day in practice about being able to rebound.  Last year’s rebounding wasn’t as good as this year, we had to focus more”, said Darrian Martin, Yates Guard.

 

The Super 16 Extravaganza is a two-day tournament that features some of the best teams and players from the Houston area.  It’s billed as the high school tournament for pre-season bragging rights in greater Houston.  The Tournament got under way Saturday October 1^st and ends Sunday night, October 2^nd with the championship game set for 6:15 p.m. 

 

The rules are a bit different from the UIL rules.  Teams cannot be led by their head coach and instead of four eight minute quarters.  The teams play two 16 minute halves with shorter halftimes.

 

As usual play got off to a furious pace with high flying rim action from both teams.  Yates controlled the tempo from the outset, jumping out to an 8-5 lead with 14:30 to go in the half.  Establishing the boards on both ends of the court, helped the Lions stay ahead, but not without a battle from the Wildcats.  It was a game of runs that watched the lead grow no larger than four to seven points most of the afternoon.  At times it seemed, Yates would run away with the game but the Wildcats would respond, weather it was a steal, a quick fast break or earning it the conventional way.

 

“We just work hard in practice, Coach Wise does a great job with the kids, as for me I’m a volunteer coach, and it’s just an honor to be able to work under someone who’s unique as Coach Gregg Wise.  The tradition here is so rich and the kids really appreciate the opportunity and to learn.  Yes we have a lot of talent and skill players here,” said George Walker.

 

Wheatley drew within a point, 19-18 with seven minutes to go in the half, after a couple steals which led to layups.  Gray, who was unstoppable, showed why he’s being recruited by many D1 schools, by holding the Wildcats together early in the contest until teammates got into the flow of the game.  Weather it was the quick move to the glass or the deep trey with or without defenders all over him.

 

“Came up short, we missing a couple of key players that are playing football, but when they comeback we should be better.  This year’s team is stronger, quicker and we play with heart,” said Ruston Hayward Wheatley’s Wingman.

 

Not to be out-done on the other end of the court, Yates’ power Forward Melvin Swift had a monster game with an array of tomahawk dunks.

 

The Wildcats tied the game on Ruston Hayward’s layup (24-24) with 5:20 to go.  Just moments later with the game knotted at 26, Dotson got in position for an offensive rebound but as he came down with ball teammate Clyde Santee bumped him causing him to land off balance and re-injuring his angle.  He left the game at the point and didn’t return until the second half.  All though on the court, at times he limped noticeably.

 

“We were just trying to capitalize and take the lead and go ahead and win the game, but we couldn’t do it. I did all I could on the glass, but once we get more help we’ll be fine,” said Tavario Miller, Wheatley’s low post.

 

Wheatley took the lead for the first time with 3:12 to go when all everything point guard Goshia Gray found Ruston Hayward on a fast-break alley hoop to give them a short-lived 30-28 lead.  The Lions quickly tied the game on Santee’s two fouls shots and built a five point lead on DJ Lewis’ 3-pointer, from left baseline.  Yates held on to a 39-35 halftime lead.

 

In the second half Yates continued to out rebound the Wildcats with the help of post players JC Washington and Swift as they stretch their lead to eleven, 51-40.  Soon after Junior Wing man, Tavario Miller threw down a vicious alley hoop, which ignited the Wildcats while closing the gap to two points after Gray drained a trey from the right wing (57-55).  But Yates had an answer for every run Wheatley pushed out.  Down the stretch, the Lion pulled away 60-58 and 70-62 until Gray, Hayward and Devante Burks converted much needed baskets to springboard the Wildcats back in the game, trailing 75-73.  A steal and a couple of late turnovers sparked a Yates run that ultimately put the Wildcats away.

 

‘We didn’t have our whole team.  We have three playing football.  But the last minute turnovers hurt us down the stretch”, said Wheatley Coach Elder.

 

Swift was dynamite and led all scorers with 28 points 12 boards.  Clyde Santee finish with 18 points and Darrian Martin chipped 17 points for the Lions.  Wheatley post player Tavario Miller and point guard Goshia Gray was just as impressive with 25 and 24 points.  Ruston Hayward and Devante Burks added 12 points apiece for Wheatley.

 

“This game was good, it went back and forth scoring, we were arguing but we are all friends.  We’ll see them again.  We all play AAU together and when we’re not playing AAU, we text each other to see if they want to go play ball together (speaking of Yates/Wheatley’s friendly rival). The win means a lot, because we work hard in practice,” said Yates Power Forward Melvin Swift.