PREP ROUNDUP: Clover brings good luck to Titans in rout of Vidor
Published 12:39 am Wednesday, January 25, 2017
**CORRECTS score of Nederland vs. Hamshire-Fannett soccer match**
The News staff reports
Freshman Nathan Clover played his best game to date in a Port Arthur Memorial uniform.
Clover used his 6-foot-6 frame to block at least 10 shots to go with a career-high 16 points Tuesday as Memorial routed Vidor 73-37 at home.
The Titans (19-5, 7-1 in 22-5A), who are still one game behind Central for first place in the district, did not give up more than 11 points to Vidor (8-28, 0-8) in any quarter. Memorial led 40-18 at halftime.
Thailan Wesley led the Titans with 21 points. Ashur Fondren had 19 points for Vidor.
Memorial visits Central on Friday.
CENTRAL 38, NEDERLAND 32
NEDERLAND — The Bulldogs did their job defensively, but failed to capitalize on the offensive end.
Central (17-7, 8-0 in 22-5A) led 26-19 through three periods, and Nederland (21-8, 4-4) could not come closer than within three points of the lead.
The Bulldogs shot 11 for 40 from the floor, nearly leaving coach Brian English at a loss for words.
“It’s hard to explain,” he said. “If you shoot that poorly, you’re probably not going to win many games. That’s not the first time we shot it poorly against them. Both times, we shot poorly.”
Central won the first meeting 54-42 in Beaumont on Dec. 31.
“I was proud of the effort on defense. I thought they played hard. But we’ve got some kids who lack confidence in shooting the ball. If you lack confidence in shooting the ball, you’re probably not going to win.”
Central made 11 of 15 free throws in the fourth quarter and ran a stall offense for much of the fourth period to preserve the win. Byron Arceneaux had nine points, all on three-point baskets, to lead the Jaguars.
Darrell Jones led Nederland with 13 points and Hayden Hefner added 11.
SABINE PASS 65, WEST HARDIN 52
SABINE PASS — No close call here.
By the end of the third period, Sabine Pass’ victory was all but decided when they held a 47-33 lead.
Daniel Sam shot 10 of 16 from the floor and had 24 points to lead the Sharks (6-13, 1-2 in 24-2A). Harold James went for 13 points and Jamyus Jones had 12.
The Sharks shot 53 percent from the floor.
LIVINGSTON 66, PNG 51
LIVINGSTON — The Indians dropped their fifth straight game after the Lions nearly ended up with four players in double-digit scoring.
Cameron Merchant sank four three-point baskets, on his way to 19 points. Jae’Vionne Green had 17, while Josh Staples and Kyler Franklin each finished with nine.
The win allowed Livingston (5-17, 3-5) to pull within a game of Nederland for the fourth and final playoff spot in 22-5A with six games to go. PNG (6-16, 2-6) fell two games behind Nederland, but got a strong performance from Hunter Curtis with 19 points. T.J. Jordan and Haden Wiggins each scored eight for the Indians.
GIRLS HOOPS
ORANGEFIELD 49, BRIDGE CITY 39
BRIDGE CITY — Emmi Lummus came up with 12 points and 10 rebounds, but was very impressive on defense with seven steals in leading the Bobcats past the Cardinals.
Faith Fregia totaled 11 points, Paris Fregia had eight points, two steals and four assists, and Skylar Matson nearly struck a double-double of her own with eight reboinds and nine steals to go with three points.
BOYS SOCCER
BOB HOPE 6, ANAHUAC 1
In Port Arthur, five different players scored for the Eagles in a rout of Anahuac.
Juan Hernandez scored twice, while Enry Reyes, Ricky Perez, Omar Aguilar and Luis Preciado also netted goals.
Bob Hope faces Cleveland on Friday and will travel to Lafayette, La., to take on Covington (La.) St. Paul’s on Monday. St. Paul’s is ranked second nationally by Maxpreps.com and first in Louisiana.
GIRLS SOCCER
BOB HOPE 8, ANAHUAC 1
In Port Arthur, Jackie Cardenas sparked the Eagles’ third win in a row with her third hat trick in a row.
Bianca Anaya also scored three goals, and Esme Cruz and Cynthia Ochoa each added a goal for Bob Hope. The Eagles take on 4A second-ranked Jasper on Friday.
NEDERLAND 2, HAMSHIRE-FANNETT 0
NEDERLAND — Haley Dugas and Madison Ledet each struck a goal in the second half, and Nederland improved to 6-0-1 on the season.
Meg Sheppard assisted on Dugas’ goal. Dugas made the dish to Ledet.
Hamshire-Fannett fell to 4-4.
Nederland will begin District 22-5A play at 7:30 p.m. Friday at home against Lumberton.