Around the Rim

2019 Boys Area Basketball

By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter

ANDERSON/HOUSTON COUNTY – In Anderson and Houston Counties, there are 12 independent school districts (ISD) – seven in Anderson County and five in Houston County. All 12 of these ISDs have basketball programs with both girls and boys teams.

During the remainder of the season, The Messenger Sports will attempt to keep you up-to-date with the latest scores and standings from the 12 schools, spanning Class A through Class 4A, in Regions III and IV.

The 12 teams are split between five districts. In Region III, Districts 19-2A, 20-2A, 20-3A and 19-4A will be covered. In Region IV, District 28-A will be covered.

District 19-2A is comprised of: Cayuga; Frost; Italy; Itasca; Kerens; and Malakoff Cross Roads.

District 20-2A is comprised of: Centerville; Grapeland; Groveton; Latexo; Leon; Lovelady and Slocum.

District 20-3A is comprised of: Buffalo; Crockett; Elkhart; Frankston; Groesbeck; Teague; and Westwood.

District 19-4A is comprised of: Fairfield; Madisonville; Mexia; Palestine; and Rusk.

In Region IV, District 28-A is comprised of: Apple Springs; Chireno; Groveton Centerville; Kennard; La Poynor; Laneville; Neches; Oakwood; and Wells.

If we miss a score or there are changes, please feel free to provide corrected information and updates to The Messenger Sports via e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at 936-687-2424.

So, let’s get started with the area boys. In District 19-2A and 19-4A, league play doesn’t begin until Friday, Jan. 11.

In District 20-2A, the Grapeland Sandies are the odds on favorite to repeat as district champions for the umpteenth time. Currently ranked #7 by the TABC, the Sandies are in first place with a record of 1-0. The Lovelady Lions are also ranked at #25 and the Lions are tied with the Sandies at 1-0.

Four teams are tied for third with 1-1 records. These teams are: the Centerville Tigers; the Groveton Indians; the Leon Cougars; and Slocum Mustangs. Bringing up the rear are the Latexo Tigers with a record of 0-2.

District play began on Dec. 18 as Grapeland trounced Latexo, 87-35; Groveton defeated Leon by a final score of 50-43; and Slocum defeated Centerville 50-37.

On Dec. 21: Leon defeated Latexo, 59-34; Lovelady took out Slocum, 91-67; and Centerville defeated Groveton, 51-38.

In District 20-3A, the Buffalo Bison and Westwood Panthers are tied atop the standings with 2-0 records. The Teague Lions have a 1-0 record and the Crockett Bulldogs are currently 1-1. The Frankston Indians are 0-1 while both Elkhart and Groesbeck are 0-2.

The Dec. 18 games saw Buffalo defeat Crockett 64-61, Teague beating Elkhart 57-47 and Westwood hammering Groesbeck, 81-45.

On Dec. 21, Buffalo took out Elkhart 53-31, Crockett got back on track with 98-38 win over Groesbeck and Westwood defeated Frankston, 44-32.

In District 28-1A, La Poynor sits alone atop the standings with a record of 5-0. Neches is in second with a 5-1 mark while both Laneville and Oakwood are just a half game back with records of 4-1. Chireno is at 2-3, Kennard has a 2-4 district record, Wells is 1-4 and Little Centerville is 0-5.

The Dec. 4 scoreboard showed: LaPoynor 65 Laneville 51; Neches 64 Wells 36; Chireno 60 Apple Springs 45; and Kennard 72 Groveton Centerville 41.

For Dec. 11: La Poynor 73 Neches 66; Oakwood 52 Wells 43; Laneville 96 Kennard 48; and Apple Springs 68 Centerville 53.

On Dec. 14: La Poynor 66 Oakwood 54; Laneville 85 Apple Springs 46; Chireno 60 Centerville 21; and Neches 55 Kennard 34.

On Dec. 18: Neches 73 Apple Springs 50; Laneville 90 Chireno 57; Oakwood 55 Kennard 33; and LaPoynor 54 Wells 36.

On Dec. 21: Neches 67 Chireno 54; Laneville 76 Centerville 39; Kennard 46 Wells 38; and Oakwood 57 Apple Springs 35.

And finally, on Dec. 31 Wells 67 Apple Springs 53; Oakwood 58 Chireno 22; LaPoynor 69 Kennard 33; and Neches 76 Centerville 33.

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