District 16-3A Boys Showdown Between Spring Hill + Chapel Hill Highlights Busy Basketball Friday

Early control of the District 16-3A boys basketball race will be on the line Friday night when No. 23 Spring Hill (14-7, 2-0) visits the Chapel Hill Bulldogs (12-7, 2-0).

Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Spring Hill is coming off a 3-2 finish at the Gulf Coast Classic in Mont Belvieu, claiming the Bronze Bracket championship. Chapel Hill, meanwhile, went 3-0 at the Wagstaff Holiday Classic in Tyler to take the Gold Bracket title.

The Panthers' last district game occurred on Dec. 21, a 43-36 win over Gladewater. Before that, Spring Hill defeated Kilgore, 64-58.

Chapel Hill defeated Gilmer, 91-42, on Monday. The Bulldogs' captured their district opener with a 68-49 victory over Henderson back in December.

Other marquee matchups across the area include state-ranked Jacksonville at Palestine and Whitehouse at Hallsville in Class 4A action.

In Class 2A, Elysian Fields travels to top-ranked White Oak, Waskom plays at No. 5 Tatum, longtime rivals Arp and Troup meet in Arp and Garrison travels to 23rd-ranked Crockett.

There are a bevy of prime matchups in the state's lowest classification. Chief among them is battle between La Poynor (No. 6 in 1A D-I) and Martin's Mill. Others featured games include: Rusk at No. 4 Grapeland, Canton at seventh-ranked Cayuga, Lovelady at No. 19 Broaddus, Centerville at Douglass (No. 2 in 1A D-II), No. 7 Laneville at Apple Springs and No. 24 Chireno at Kennard.