Progress staff reports
Rusk demolishes
Westwood in opener
PALESTINE — The Rusk Eagles kicked off the new season by trouncing Palestine Westwood, 88-53, Tuesday night at Panther Gymnasium.
The Eagles (1-0) used a balanced scoring attack, getting double-figure efforts from Mike Katon, DeMarrio Richards and J. D. Beard to easily handle the Panthers (0-1).
Katon notched a double-double (23 points and 12 rebounds), Richards added 17 points, four rebounds, seven steals and four assists, while Beard tossed in 15 points and had three boards and three assists.
Blake Fletcher chipped in nine points for Rusk by going 3-for-3 from behind the arc, and Kalon Skinner pumped in eight points.
Rusk pounced on the Panthers early, taking a 25-9 lead after the opening quarter, and never looked back.
The Eagles also turned in a fine defensive performance, forcing Westwood to commit 35 turnovers in the contest.
Rusk head coach Tracy Kincade was pleased to get the win, no doubt, but also said his team was not exactly where he wanted them to be overall.
“We played well in spurts,” he said. “But we will have to continue to work hard and get better.”
Next up for the Eagles is Friday’s home opener against Tatum. The varsity tipoff should occur around 7:30 p.m., following freshman and junior varsity tilts between the two schools.
Shorthanded Panthers
drop opener to Sabine
LIBERTY CITY — Playing without two key players who were inactive due to injury put Bullard at a severe disadvantage against the No. 2-ranked team in Class 2A, Sabine. The combination of being shorthanded coupled with playing a strong Cardinal team proved to be too much for the Panthers to overcome as Sabine dished out a 43-30 defeat to Bullard in the season opener for both teams Tuesday night.
Noah Jackson led Sabine in scoring with 21 as the Cardinals put Bullard on lock down in the second half — the Cards held the Panthers to just nine points over the final two periods of action.
Bullard played their best early, as the Panthers led 21-20 at the break. Lance Anding paced the Panthers with 10 points, and Taft Rose added seven.
The Panthers travel to Mount Pleasant for a 4 p.m. tipoff Saturday.
Lindale hands Lady Panthers first loss; 45-40 in OT
LINDALE — The Lady Eagles of Lindale remain undefeated (3-0) by scoring a 45-40 overtime victory over Bullard (1-1), who came into the game as the No. 12-ranked team in Class 3A.
The game was a defensive struggle all night — the teams were deadlocked at 12 at intermission — before the Lady Eagles edged in front 24-21 after three segments were in the book. The Lady Panthers bounced back to tie the game at 34 at the end of regulation.
Kayla Welling led Bullard in scoring with 14 points, with Minta Spears adding 11 and Ashley Ricci 10. Spears drained two buckets from long range for the Lady Panthers, who return to the court at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Hallsville.
Dayre Marsh and Alicia Sanders guided Lindale, scoring 12 and 10 points, respectively.
