AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) - Tascosa swept both games of an emotional basketball doubleheader against Palo Duro on Tuesday, with the Lady Rebels winning 49-45 and the boys upsetting the No. 23 Dons 65-56.
Both communities observed a moment of silence before the girls game in honor of Brynnlee Hampton, and both schools wore pink in her honor following the New Year’s Day tragedy.
Girls game highlights top-10 battle
The Lady Rebels squeaked out the victory in a battle between two top-10 teams.
Devaeh Johnson scored on a fast-break layup in the first quarter, protecting the ball against pursuing defenders.
Emily Sims assisted on a play that went from the wing to La’Kenzee Dickson, who found Johnson for another score using the backboard.
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In the fourth quarter, Braya Smith went one-on-one with Johnson, creating space with a drop step for a basket.
Tayleeh Meander hit a contested floater despite pressure from Nic’Kiyah Fisher.
“Really special, had a great crowd and what a tragedy that we had happen on New Year’s Day with Brynnlee,” Tascosa head coach Zac Tabor said. “It’s so nice to see the communities of both Tascosa and Palo Duro come together and make it important for her and wear pink in her honor.”
Tabor praised his team’s performance under emotional circumstances.
“The girls wanted to come out and represent in the right way and I think they did that tonight,” he said.
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“I thought we played tough. It would have been easy for our girls to fold and instead we rose to the challenge and we played well down the stretch and got a big win against a really good team and a well-coached team.”
Boys game sees upset
The Rebels boys team followed with a 65-56 upset victory over the No. 23 ranked Dons. Ladrius Godbolt led Tascosa with 40 points.
In the third quarter, Cuda Clayton found Zalen Nodine on the wing, who swung the ball to a teammate before getting it back and hitting a three-pointer.
Tascosa responded when Jack Corperning attacked and found Goldbolt in the corner for a three-pointer.
Palo Duro took the lead when Cheston Mitchell Jr. stripped the ball from Kayvion Blackshere, leading to a fast break finished by Deuce Reese.
Blackshere answered by finding Wyatt Barnett in the corner for a three-pointer that shifted momentum back to the Rebels.
Blackshere later drove to the basket for an open layup, celebrating after the score that prompted a Palo Duro timeout.
The victories continue regular season play as district races tighten and each win becomes increasingly important for area teams.
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