Tarkington falls short to Kountze in Regional Quarterfinals 71-49
Tarkington’s Calvin Ellington passes off to a teammate on Tuesday night at Crosby High School against Kountze. The Vindicator | Jerry Michalsky
Jackson Stovall of Tarkington drives to the bucket with determination on his face against Kountze on Tuesday night in the Regional Quarterfinals. The Vindicator | Jerry Michalsky
CROSBY — The Tarkington Longhorns put up a fight for 32 minutes but came up short on Tuesday night as they fell to the Kountze Lions 71-49 in a Class 3A Regional Quarterfinal match-up.
In their win last Friday night against East Chambers, the Longhorns connected on 11 three-pointers. Against Kountze, Tarkington hit on just five treys as the shooting was just a little off. Nevertheless, it was a history-making season for the Longhorns as they advanced to the Regional Quarterfinals for the first time.
The Lions came out quickly and led 12-2 until a three-pointer by Jackson Stovall made the score 12-5. Tarkington then cut the deficit to 13-9 just before the close of the opening quarter with a Trace Edwards bucket off a pass from Calvin Ellington.
With Kountze leading 19-12, Ellington hit from downtown off a pass from Michael Galvan to close within 19-15.
The Lions closed the second quarter on a 10-5 run to lead 29-20 at the half.
Kountze opened the second half with a 10-2 run, pushing their advantage to 39-22 with 4:56 left in the third quarter.
After a Tarkington time- out, Galvan scored on a drive and then Stovall caught fire. The junior scored nine straight points for the Longhorns by scoring on a shot falling away from the bucket and then scored two more baskets to keep the score at 53-32. Stovall scored on a three-point play, but the Lions’ lead was still 58-35.
Later in the fourth quarter, Cayde Squier scored on a three-point play, and then Stovall grabbed an offensive rebound and scored to make it 65-46.
Senior Jaden Cases then got into the game and hit a three-pointer for the final points of the night.
Stovall scored 14 of his team-high 19 points in the second half and Squier finished with 10. Ellington added 6 points.