TYLER -- The John Tyler Lions got off to a hot start from the field, and used a crucial run in the second quarter to earn a 63-52 win over Jacksonville in District 16-5A action Tuesday night at the Lions Den.

John Tyler (16-7, 3-1) captured its third consecutive win to remain in good shape as the first round of league play nears its conclusion.

"We still see it as a grind," said John Tyler assistant head coach James Mosley. "(We're 3-1 in district), but we don't want to set ourself up for failure. We still have the meat of our schedule ahead of us. We just want to take it one game at a time now."

The Lions got a spark from senior Ja'Khari Lewis, who dropped a team-high 16 points to go along with six rebounds and four assists.

"I took it upon myself, I just wanted to get the 'W' tonight," Lewis said.

Lewis had 10 first-half points as the Lions took a 35-25 lead on Jacksonville (9-10, 0-3) into halftime.

"He's one of our seniors and we talk a lot about senior leadership," Mosley said. "He was able to hit some easy, open looks at 3's. That got him going and he got some steals and I liked the way he shared the ball."

Patrick Williams added 13 points, two rebounds and two steals, while J'Michael Jasper and Bryson Smith each contributed seven points in the win. In all, 11 different John Tyler players reached the scoring column.

Jacksonville was led in defeat by D.D. Hamitlon, who poured in a game-high 18 points, which was accompanied by his five rebounds. Shawn Ragsdale chipped in with 13 points, two boards and two assists.

John Tyler led just 18-16 late in the opening quarter, but a 14-2 run that stretched well into the second quarter pushed the Lions' lead to 32-18 with 2:55 to play until halftime.

"I think we were able to create a little bit of pressure on the defensive end and it translated into some easy buckets," Mosley said of JT's game-changing run in the first half.

Jacksonville never got closer than eight points in the final two quarters.

Both teams' seasons continue Friday night. John Tyler plays at Lindale, while Jacksonville entertains Lufkin.

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John Tyler 63, Jacksonville 52

District 16-5A Boys Basketball
At Lions Den, Tyler

Jacksonville           16      9      8    19    --    52
John Tyler              20    15    10    18    --    63
JACKSONVILLE (9-10, 0-3) -- D.D. Hamilton, 18; Shawn Ragsdale, 13; Kariem Clayborne, 7; J'Colby Robinson, 6; Jadarius Blake, 4; Travon Lawlor, 3; Demontre Christopher, 1.
JOHN TYLER (16-7, 3-1) -- Ja'Khari Lewis, 16; Patrick Williams, 13; J'Michael Jasper, 7; Bryson Smith, 7; Martese Christian, 5; Isaac Warren, 5; Jacob Owens-Bush, 4; Rodney Bendy, 2; Duntayviun Gross, 2; Carlin Gray, 1; Tavian Teal, 1.
THREE-POINT GOALS -- Jacksonville: Clayborne (2), Hamilton (2), Lawlor, Ragsdale. John Tyler: Lewis (2), Christian, Warren, Williams.

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