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Brayden White goes into a euro step for a layup. White scored 2 points. -
Ira senior Nathan Goodwin prepared to jump for a layup during the Bulldogs’ 44-40 win over Highland Tuesday. Goodwin was the games high scorer with 18 points.
The Ira Bulldogs boys’ basketball team edged the Highland Hornets, 44-40 Tuesday, extending its winning streak to three games.
Ira (16-2, 2-0) rode solid performances from senior Nathan Goodwin and sophomore Holden Rios to a close District 13-1A victory and the second spot in the district standings.
Head coach Todd Wall said his players expect every district game to be a battle.
“We knew every team in our district is going to be good and I can see every game being this close,” he said. “We did a good job of maintaining our composure, hitting some big shots when we needed to and taking care of the ball.”
Senior Karson Valentine scored seven points and drilled his first 3-pointer to lead Ira to a 14-8 first quarter lead. Goodwin and senior Matthew Brazil also hit 3s and senior Brayden White made a contested layup to score his first points.
In the second quarter, Highland turned the table, outscoring Ira 13-8. Highland senior Konner Turney hit his first 3-pointer and senior Sam Spaulding scored six points to power the Hornets’ big quarter. Valentine hit his second 3 and Rios scored his first bucket in the second quarter, and the Bulldogs held on to a slim 22-21 halftime lead.
The third quarter was the Nathan Goodwin show. The senior guard scored nine points to power the Bulldogs to a 13-point quarter. Goodwin hit his second 3-pointer of the quarter as time expired, giving Ira a 35-27 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Highland managed only six points in the third quarter.
The fourth quarter was a battle to the finish line.
Turney scored seven points and led the Hornets to within two points. With just over a minute remaining, the Bulldogs called a timeout holding on to a 40-38 lead. Late buckets from Rios and Goodwin helped the Bulldogs hold on to win, 44-40.
Due to foul trouble, several Ira sophomores saw extended playing time late in the game. Wall said the underclassmen have become an integral part of the Bulldog team.
“A couple of sophomores had to come in and they know what we expect of them,” he said. “Holden has been playing great. Hopefully his confidence is grown because we have high expectations of all of our sophomores.”
Up next for the Bulldogs is a meeting with cross-county rival Hermleigh. Wall said he is expecting a good game with the Cardinals.
“I think it can go either way,” he said. “Talent-wise, I think we are pretty even. We would love to go over there and take care of business, but we know it is going to be a tough game. I expect them to come out ready to play, so we are going to need to match that intensity.”
The boys will play following the girls’ game Friday at 8 p.m. in Cardinal Gym in Hermleigh.
Ira scorers: Nathan Goodwin, 18 points; Karson Valentine, 12 points; Holden Rios, 6 points; Matthew Brazil, 4 points; Brayden White, 2 points; Anthony Coy, 2 points.
Highland scorers: Konner Turney, 16 points; Sam Spaulding, 12 points; Jacob Hamilton, 6 points; Edward Peacock, 4 points; Austin Moreland, 2 points.