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Western Texas College’s Shannon James dribbles down the court against South Plains College during Thursday’s game. James scored four points in the 98-90 win over the Texans.
By Larry McCarty
SDN Sports Editor
Sophomore Xavier Ledet left a lasting impression on head coach Larren Silver during his final basketball game for Western Texas College.
Ledet scored a season-high 34 points to go along with 18 rebounds and six assists as WTC defeated No. 24 South Plains College 98-90 on Thursday.
“Xavier had a great game,” Silver said. “He usually scores around 10 points. Xavier tripled his scoring average with his mom from Louisiana watching. He went through a lot of adversity at times this season and kept playing.”
Curtiss Anderson scored 12 points while Shane Johnson and Kolbe Kinghorn each had 10 points for the Westerners (17-13), who won five of the final eight games.
Jerron Love led South Plains with 26 points. Decontae North had 18 points and Che Bob added 14 points. Roberto Gallinat scored 10 points.
“We felt the crowd during that first run in the first half,” said Silver, who picked up his 100th career win. “It was sophomore night and we felt the support of the crowd. I’m proud of this team. They never gave up all season.”
WTC had more than 20 assists for the third straight game and made 70 percent of its free throws.
“We had 26 assists against Frank Phillips College, 21 at Clarendon and 25 against South Plains,” Silver said. “When a team can do that, you can be a difficult team to beat. We also did a good job of shooting free throws. It was a heck of a team effort.”
Early in the first half, Jeffrey Uju’s three-point play broke a 2-2. The Westerners then went on a 19-8 run to take a 21-10 lead. WTC led 28-11 before the Texans used a 24-7 run to take a 35-34 with 2:53 left in the first half.
WTC bounced right back with a 3-pointer from Christian Hewitt, a Ledet lay-up and two free throws by Anton Bilous. The Westerners were able to take a 45-39 lead into halftime.
“Curtiss gave us a lift with his return from an injury,” Silver said. “We responded after South Plains College got the lead late in the first half.”
The Westerners started the second half with a 7-2 run and were able to build a 73-53 lead.
“Our defense and free-throw shooting made a difference late in the game,” Silver said. “This was a good way for the sophomores to go out. South Plains is a huge team with four 6-9 players. We have one 6-9 player and out-rebounded them (49-41).”
South Plains College scorers — Jerron Love 26, Decontae North 18, Che Bob 14, Roberto Gallinat 10, Diamante Langston 7, Marion Jones 6, Taelin Webb 4, Ibrahima Diagne 2, Michael Wolfe 2, Rhyan Townes 1.
WTC scorers — Xavier Ledet 34, Curtiss Anderson 12, Shane Johnson 10, Kolbe Kinghorn 10, Anton Bilous 9, Christian Hewitt 8, Traylin Prejean 8, Shannon James 4, Jeffrey Uju 3.
WTC statistics — Jeffrey Uju 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 blocked shot; Kevin Hicks 1 rebound, 2 assists; Shannon James 1 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals; Xavier Ledet 18 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals; Shane Johnson 3 rebounds, 6 assists; Christian Hewitt 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal; Curtiss Anderson 5 rebounds, 2 assists; Traylin Prejean 1 rebound, 1 steal; Anton Bilous 3 rebounds, 1 assist; Kolbe Kinghorn 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 blocked shot; Jason Nunez 2 rebounds, 1 assist.