SOUR LAKE — Drake Rojas and Edsel Damo combined to knock down four three-point baskets to give Port Neches-Groves a 12-0 lead.

The Indians went on to defeat Evadale 68-58 Thursday in the Hardin-Jefferson Basketball Marathon, but they didn’t have it as easy as in the first quarter, when they led the Rebels 19-3.

That’s how important the Indians’ quick start was.

“It’s important because we’re trying to get better every day and we’re trying to use this as a confidence-booster for district, so we have to come out firing every time,” said Damo, the senior guard who finished with 14 points.

Rojas, a junior guard, had 25 to lead PNG (6-5), which went 2-0 Thursday. PNG also beat Buna 61-57 in overtime earlier in the day.

Evadale cut into the lead and trailed 35-21 at halftime, but Rojas and Damo each had three 3-pointers. The Indians would have only one other make the rest of the way in the game, from Trent Lee in the fourth period.

Meanwhile, the Rebels went on a 12-0 run late in the third period and held PNG without a field goal from the 6:19 mark of the third to the 7:35 mark of the fourth, when Tracy Smith completed a three-point play. Evadale came as close as 43-40 at the quarter, but Rojas sparked a 7-0 rally to make it a 55-45 lead and PNG was cool at the free-throw line down the stretch (13 of 15 for the game).

“We’ve got to figure out how to play for four quarters,” PNG coach Pat Abel said. “We can come out and play one or two good quarters, and we’ve got to learn to how to finish as a young squad in a young season. When these guys figure out how to do that and rely on each other, we’re going to be OK.”

PNG unleashed a three-point barrage against Buna, thanks in large part to Damo’s six treys. He finished with 21 points, while Rojas (two treys) had 14, Lee (three treys) scored 12 and Smith added nine.

The game was tied at 55 at the end of regulation.

The Indians will take on host Hardin-Jefferson at 1 p.m. today to try and wrap up Pool A unbeaten. Bracket play will begin later today.

 

MEMORIAL 73, CYPRESS LAKES 59

In Cypress, Thailan Wesley knocked down six of Port Arthur Memorial’s 12 three-point shots and finished with 28 points in leading the Titans (8-3) to a 14-point win in the Cypress-Fairbanks tournament.

Jamyus Jones nailed four of Memorial’s treys for all of his scoring, and Darion Chatman chipped in nine points. Memorial jumped to a 27-11 first-quarter lead and led 46-29 at the break.

Memorial returns to action at noon today against Spring Dekaney at the Berry Center.

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I.C. Murrell: 549-8541. Twitter: @ICMurrellPANews