The News staff reports

NEDERLAND — Port Neches-Groves has come really close to knocking off Nederland twice this season.

Five more points, and both games in the Mid-County Madness boys basketball rivalry would have gone overtime.

“It’s a rivalry,” Nederland coach Brian English said. “That’s always a factor. Two teams believe they can beat the other.”

As it turned out, three scorers in double figures were just what English’s Bulldogs needed to take a 52-50 win Friday night.

Nederland (23-11, 6-5 in 22-5A) gained sole possession of fourth place after Vidor lost 57-43 to Beaumont Central. Those two teams will meet in the regular-season finale.

PNG (12-19, 2-9) came close to ending a long skid in the rivalry, but Edsel Damo’s jumpshot before the buzzer would not fall after Nederland missed two free throws.

Jonathan Rayford scored 18 points, Hayden Hefner had 15 and Cade Smith scored 11 for the Bulldogs. Hunter Curtis led the Indians with 17, and Damo had 15.

Nederland will host Port Arthur Memorial on Tuesday, as PNG hosts Central.

West Brook 45, South Houston 33

BEAUMONT — Andre Boutte earned his 600^th career win as a head coach Friday, as West Brook (25-3, 11-0 in 22-6A) dominated third-place South Houston (15-16, 8-3).

Boutte is in his second season at West Brook after spending 7 ½ years as Port Arthur ISD’s athletic director. He began his career at Kountze in 1987 and later coached PA Lincoln and Ozen to three combined state championships. The Texas High School Basketball Coaches Association inducted Boutte to its hall of fame in 2016.

 

GIRLS HOOPS

PNG 50, Nederland 29

PORT NECHES — Mollee Priddy came to play.

Priddyhad three steals, two assists and four rebounds to go along with 21 points Friday, and PNG (17-21, 4-9 in 22-5A) earned the season sweep of Nederland (0-13 in 22-5A).

Holly Jones helped PNG with nine points, five rebounds and five steals. Chelsea Carrillo added eight points, seven rebounds and three steals, Maylin Stampley scored seven points and Harlee Barnwell pulled down seven rebounds and blocked two shots to go with three points.

For Nederland, Cassidy Thomas had 10 points, Da’Reyale Jones had seven and Valerie Simoneaux added six.

On Tuesday, Nederland will conclude its season at Memorial and PNG will wrap up its campaign at Central.

Also Friday, it was: Ozen 67, Memorial 34.

 

BOYS SOCCER

PNG 1, Nederland 0, OT

PORT NECHES — When neighboring teams fight to overtime, it’s a rivalry.

Landon Sandell converted the game winner in extra time, and the Indians (9-3-1, 3-0 in 22-5A) came away with the win as Mid-County Madness extended to the soccer pitch Friday.

Jason Lovejoy was credited with the assist.

Nederland fell to 4-7-1 and 0-3 in the district.

PNG will visit Memorial on Tuesday, as Nederland heads to Ozen.

 

GIRLS SOCCER

Nederland 1, PNG 0

NEDERLAND — Meg Sheppard scored the only goal, and Hailey Kimler recorded a shutout in the net for the Bulldogs (10-2, 3-0 in 22-5A).

PNG fell to 10-2-3 and 2-1 in 22-5A.

Nederland will host Ozen at 5 p.m. Tuesday. Memorial will visit PNG at 7 p.m.

 

Memorial 6, Central 0

In Port Arthur, Guadalupe Contreras enjoyed a field day on her home pitch.

Contreras scored four of Memorial’s six goals in a rout of the Jaguars. Blanca Orozco and Elissa Bonilla also scored for the Titans (3-3-3, 2-1).