Comanches clinch postseason berth

A week off seemed to be just what the Doctor ordered for the Shiner boys basketball team Tuesday night.

The Comanches had an entire week to prepare for Louise following their 62-60 loss to Flatonia on Jan. 31. Shiner came out energized as the Comanches jumped out to a 21-6 lead after one quarter of play and never looked back as they coasted to a 61-28 victory over Louise Tuesday at Shiner High School.

Shiner (12-9, 5-1 in District 28-A-Division I) also clinched a playoff berth with the win. Thanks to Ganado's 57-53 win over Flatonia, the Comanches also moved into first place outright.

Shiner followed its first-quarter spurt with a 14-5 second-quarter run to build a 35-11 halftime lead. The Comanches outscored the Hornets, 26-17, in the final two quarters of play.

Matt Pohler led all scorers with 28 points. Leo Baray had 12.

Shiner hosts Ganado at 7 p.m. today.

Nixon-Smiley

Four different players scored in double figures as the Nixon-Smiley boys basketball team ran away with a 76-21 victory over Brooks Tuesday at Nixon-Smiley High School. Robbie Mejia led all scorers with 15 points, while Seth Barrow and Jaime Moreno both had 13 points and Damian Perez posted 11.

Nixon-Smiley (25-4, 9-2 in 29-2A) led 19-4 at the end of the first quarter and 33-9 at halftime. The Mustangs used a 22-5 third-quarter run to build a 55-14 lead heading into the final period.

Nixon-Smiley can clinch the second-place playoff berth with a win at Marion tonight. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 at Marion High School.

Gonzales

A 13-point performance from Cameron Smith was not enough to lift the Gonzales boys basketball team to victory. The Apaches came up short, 46-41, against La Vernia Tuesday at Gonzales High School.

In addition to Smith's 13 points, Gonzales (4-25, 2-8 in 28-3A) also received 8 points from Darrance James and 7 from Don Cartwright. The Apaches host Yoakum at 7:30 p.m. today.

St. Paul

Dakota Kresta's double-double was not enough to lift the St. Paul boys basketball team to victory Tuesday. The Cardinals suffered a 49-35 setback at the hands of Alvin Livingstone in a TAPPS District 8-2A quarterfinal contest.

St. Paul (5-12) still has a pulse, however. The Cardinals must defeat Victoria Faith in a fifth-place game Saturday.

Although the tournament site is in Alvin, St. Paul and Victoria Faith officials are looking to have the game played at a site closer to the schools. The time, date and site of the contest have yet to be determined.

On Tuesday, Livingstone jumped out to a 14-5 lead after one quarter of play and never looked back. Livingstone led 31-16 at halftime and 42-24 at the end of the third quarter.

Kresta led the Cardinals with 15 points and 16 rebounds. Justin Natal also had 10 points.