Bulldogs Nip Blue Devils for Bi-District Championship

By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter

EAST TEXAS – The Crockett Bulldogs used a big fourth quarter to nip the Central Heights Blue Devils in the Bi-District round of the playoffs by a final score of 49-43. The game was close throughout as Crockett trailed by four after the first period, tied Central Heights at the half, led by one after three and finally clawed out a six point win over the Blue Devils.

The game started off slow for the fast-paced Bulldogs as they only scored seven points in the quarter. Xavion Dixon dropped in four for Crockett while teammate B.J. Anderson had a 3-pointer.

The Blue Devils, meanwhile, surged to a four point lead after the first eight minutes of play. Zach Street led the way for Central Heights with nine points, while Andrew Chapel netted two to make the score 11-7 at the end of the quarter.

The second quarter saw the Dawgs come back to tie things up at 21 as the two teams headed to the locker rooms at the half. Allen Horace paced Crockett with four points while A.J. Owens and Jurmond Wooten both knocked down a 3-poointer. Anderson and Dixon split the other four points equally as the Dawgs found themselves all knotted up with the Blue Devils at the break.

Central Heights was led in scoring by Bradley Adams and Cade Watson with three apiece in the second quarter while Street and Nathan Badders both had two.

The third quarter saw the Dawgs ease into the lead. Dixon powered inside for six while Anderson hit his second three ball of the game. Wooten netted two and Keshaun Smotherman made one of two from the line to help give Crockett a 33-32 lead after three periods of play.

Street was at it again as he dropped in nine for the Blue Devils while Watson added a two to round out the third quarter scoring for Central Heights.

In the final eight minutes of play. the Dawgs tried to pull away but the Blue Devils stayed within striking distance. Watson hit two long range bombs for six while Street had three and Jack Moore had two.

Crockett, however, did just enough to get by as Anderson led the way with eight big fourth quarter points. Owens joined Anderson in the scoring column with five points while Lucky Daniels had two and Derrick Sherman chipped in one to help lead the Dawgs to a 49-43 win and the Bi-District championship.

The Blue Devils were led in scoring by Zach Street with 23 points and Cade Watson with 11. Bradley Adams had three and a trio of Central Heights’ players – Nathan Badders, Andrew Chappel and Jack Moore – all had two.

The Dawgs were paced by B.J. Anderson with 16 points and Xavion Dixon with 14. A.J. Owens had eight, Jurmond Woooten had five, Allen Horace dropped in four and both Derrick Sherman and Keshaun Smotherman chipped in one apiece.

The win moved the Crockett Bulldogs into the Area round of the playoffs where they faced the La Marque Cougars.

Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].