Boys hoops playoff races come down to wire

The playoff race is heating up in District 24-5A boys hoops.

And it’s likely to come down to the wire with just four games left in the regular season.

Ball High currently sits atop the standings at 8-2 but has just a one-game lead over Clear Creek and Clear Springs. The Tors have a slight advantage, already defeating both the Chargers, 52-47, and the Wildcats, 70-62. However, both those wins came at home, and Ball must go on the road next week with back-to-back games against both Creek and Springs.

“This race is far from over,” Tors coach Jerald Temple said. “It’s gut-check time.”

Ball actually held a two-game lead a week ago, but back-to-back losses to Brazoswood and Dickinson in overtime opened the doors for Springs and Creek.

They’re taking advantage. Both still must play Ball and end the season against one another in what should be a pivotal playoff-positioning matchup at Springs.

The Wildcats beat the Chargers in the first meeting at Creek, 62-51.

“Our goal is still to win a district title,” Springs coach Chris Johnson said. “We fell behind in the first half, but I think we’re still in good position. We need some help, but we have Creek and Ball at home.”

The fourth and final playoff spot is even more convoluted. Clear Lake and Clear Brook are tied at 5-5, but Dickinson and Brazoswood are one game out at 4-6.

Lake may have the toughest schedule with games remaining at Ball and at Springs along with a finale at home against Brook.

Dickinson could control its own destiny as it travels to winless Alvin before hosting Brook in what could be a win-or-go-home matchup. The Wolverines trounced the Gators, 81-61, earlier in the year.

Dickinson then concludes with a game at Creek and at Brazoswood, in another possible win-or-go-home contest. Dickinson beat Brazoswood, 63-59, at home.

“We’re still in this,” coach Mike Tucker said. “It’s the kind of district where 7-7 might get in.”

Brazoswood has to go on the road three straight games for Springs, Alvin and Brook before hosting Dickinson in the finale.

Dickinson and Creek both won just nine games a season ago. The Gators haven’t seen the postseason since 2005 and Creek since 2007.

“This is not over,” Wildcats coach Chris Romine said. “But to go from last year to this is something these guys should be proud of.”

24-4A Much Clearer

The District 24-4A playoff race is much clearer.

No. 3 La Marque (11-0) and No. 2 Friendswood (10-1) both have clinched playoff spots already. The two rivals will battle again tonight in La Marque for the district title.

The Cougars demolished the Mustangs in January, 60-43. And that was in Friendswood.

“We’re looking for another shot,” Friendswood coach Darren Chandler said. “We didn’t play the game we wanted.”

Both sides surely will be packed as La Marque looks to win its fourth straight district title.

“This is something we’ve worked for all year,” Cougars coach Cedric Mason said. “We want this.”

Texas City currently sits third at 6-5 with three games remaining. The Stings are one game ahead of Angleton and two games ahead of both Dawson and Manvel. Texas City has beaten Dawson twice and split with Manvel.

The Stings’ schedule is pretty favorable. They host winless Brazosport and travel to Santa Fe (2-9) on the last day of the season. In between, they host Friendswood, who only defeated them on a last-second shot.

Games Of The Week

• Friendswood at La Marque, 7:30 p.m. today — No. 3 vs. No. 10 in the state rankings will determine the District 24-4A title.

• Hitchcock vs. Boling, 7:30 p.m. today — Boling handed Hitchcock its only district loss so far. A victory for the Bulldogs could mean a district title.

• Ball at Clear Creek, 7 p.m. Friday — Only one game separates these two for first place in 24-5A.

• Friendswood at Texas City, 7:30 p.m. Friday — Friendswood escaped with a buzzer beater last time. Can Texas City get revenge?

• Dickinson vs. Clear Brook, 7:30 p.m. Friday — This likely will determine Dickinson’s playoff fate. A loss could end it for the Gators, and a win could put them in a playoff spot.

Players Of The Week

• Devante Provost scored 44 points to help Hitchcock hold off Industrial, 74-71,

• Kenny Harris had 31 points to help Dickinson knock off Ball in overtime.