Mustangs in 19-3A driver's seat

Mustang Brock Taylor slashes inside against the Mexia defense to score here in last Friday night’s 62-50 district win over the Blackcats at Mustang Gym. The Mustangs (20-2, 3-0) took control of the district race as the first half of district play draws to a close. Dave Lewis/Madisonville Meteor.

After sweeping Groesbeck and Mexia last week, the Madisonville Mustangs took control of the District 19-3A basketball race and eliminated the only other unbeaten team in the loop when they took out Mexia here last Friday.

“If we can ever start making our free throws and stop making senseless turnovers, we could have a very special season,” said Coach Brian Thurmond after Friday's 62-50 win over the Blackcats.

The Mexia win followed on the heels of a 56-50 victory over Groesbeck and put the No. 16 state-ranked Mustangs at 3-0 in district and 20-2 overall.

The 'Stangs opened the week on the road and after a first period 14-14 tie, carved out a 33-28 halftime lead. Neither team scored well in the third period, but the Mustangs did manage to push their lead to 42-36 going into the final period. Both teams scored 14 points in the fourth, enabling the Mustangs to seal the win.

Jacorey Gilbert knocked down 14 points, had 5 steals, 4 rebounds and 3 assists to lead Madisonville, while Rob Nellums accounted for 10 points, 6 assists, 4 steals, 6 rebounds and 2 turnovers.

Chris Young turned in 9 points but had 12 rebounds, and Brandon Stubblefield scored 8 points, had 3 boards and 2 steals.

Alonzo Whaley booked 6 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 assists, and Brock Taylor came in with 3 points and 5 rebounds. Chris Whaley and Nelson Veliz both scored 2 points. Whaley also had 6 rebounds, and Veliz had 3 steals.

The Mustangs were down by 2 points before Friday's game here against Mexia began, thanks to a technical for dunking while the officials were present.

Trailing by 6 points after the first quarter, the Mustangs finally pulled even with the Blackcats and took their first lead of the game with 1:26 to play in the second period, 29-28. Both teams traded field goals the rest of the way, and the score was 32-32 at intermission.

The Mustang defense tightened up in the third period, enabling Madisonville to enjoy an 11-9 run in the third, then the Mustangs put together a 19-12 run in the fourth to close the deal.

Young led the scoring with 15 points to go with his 8 rebounds. Taylor came in with 11 points and 6 rebounds, and Stubblefield booked 10 points, pulled down 3 rebounds and had a pair of steals.

Gilbert scored 9 points, had 8 boards and 4 assists, while Alonzo Whaley took a pair of charges, scored 6 points and accounted for 10 rebounds.

Nellums scored 6 points and had 4 assists, and Chris Whaley came in with 2 points and 3 rebounds.

The Mustangs were at home Tuesday against Fairfield and will finish the first half of district play against Westwood Friday in Palestine. They'll host Palestine Jan. 29 to open the second half of league play.

District 19 3-A

Standings

(1/21/08)

Madisonville ŠŠŠŠŠ 3-0

Mexia ŠŠŠŠŠŠŠŠ 2-1

Fairfield ŠŠŠŠŠŠŠ 1-2

Westwood ŠŠŠŠŠŠ 1-2

Groesbeck ŠŠŠŠŠŠ 1-2

Palestine ŠŠŠŠŠŠŠ 1-2