PREP ROUNDUP: Hefner putback makes Dogs 2-0 on day
Published 10:49 pm Thursday, November 30, 2017
The News staff report
NEDERLAND — Give the ball to the playmaker, and he’ll make a play to win.
That was Nederland’s strategy in the final seconds of Thursday’s rematch with Kelly.
Sophomore Hayden Hefner became the playmaker, taking a screen and putting back his own missed floater before the buzzer to give Nederland a 48-46 win in its own Bulldog Classic.
The win was the second of the day for the host Bulldogs (5-1), who also beat Louisiana Christian School on a Cade Smith buzzer-beater in the tournament a year ago. Hefner also had a buzzer-beater against Hardin-Jefferson that season.
Hefner’s putback gave him 11 points, while Jonathan Rayford led Nederland with 15.
David Ray led Kelly with 13 points, followed by Asaad Bodden with nine.
The game was much closer than Nederland’s 63-50 season-opening victory. The host Bulldogs were up 25-23 at halftime before the visiting Bulldogs led 38-36 through three periods.
Nederland beat Ocean Springs (Miss.) Grace Baptist Academy 61-56 earlier Thursday after nearly seeing a nine-point lead completely evaporate. Sophomore Kelvin Chest made a three-point basket as he was fouled to pull GBA within 57-56 with 28.2 seconds left, but he missed the free throw, and Hefner canned a pair of free throws to make it a three-point game.
Hefner had 17 points in the win, making 5 of 5 at the line in the final period. Smith had 12 points, all on three-point shots, and Shafin Momin added nine.
Chest had 21 points, including five treys. Felipe Carter added 16 points for GBA.
Only the Nederland-Kelly game affected bracket play in the Classic. The other games Thursday were “warm-up” contests, as each team is guaranteed four games.
Nederland advanced to play Louisiana Christian School at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Kelly will play the Alvin vs. Vidor loser at 3 p.m. Friday.
Alvin 52, PNG 35
NEDERLAND — Port Neches-Groves outscored Alvin 11-8 in the second quarter and pulled to within 24-19 at halftime, but a strong second half helped the Yellow Jackets earn a 17-point win.
Trent Lee led PNG (1-3) with eight points. Alvin got 18 points from Damian Robolledo and 16 from Caleb Elsey.
PNG will begin bracket play against Bridge City at 1:30 p.m. Friday.
Also: In girls action, Nederland lost to Friendswood but beat Yes Prep in the Sam Rayburn tournament in Pasadena.