WHITEHOUSE -- It didn't take long for the anticipated rematch between John Tyler and Whitehouse to fizzle.

The Lions dominated from the outset and took the air right out of a packed Wildcat Arena, cruising to a 75-60 win Friday night in a key District 16-4A matchup that gave John Tyler (11-14, 5-2) sole possession of second place.

“There’s still a lot of basketball that we still have to get better at," said John Tyler coach Cedeno Clark. "That’s the team we pretty much envisioned being like, but we still have to get a lot better to get to where we want to go.”

JT won the first meeting with Whitehouse (20-8, 4-3), 78-65, on Jan. 15 but had to battle back from an early deficit. It was a much different story the second time around.

The Lions used a 13-0 run to build a 22-8 lead after one quarter. Much of the offense began with hustle on the defensive end with JT recording three steals in the opening period, in which six different Lions scored.

“We came out mixing up defenses on them and we were challenging our guys in the locker room to really get after it and play with 100 percent effort, and that’s what they did," Clark said. “We challenged them all week in practice to really be active on the defensive end, that’s where all the transition buckets start."

Jordan Caldwell led John Tyler with 16 points off the bench. Senior forward Tyus Bowser had 13 points (all in the first half) to go with five rebounds, two assists and two steals. Greg Ward added 12 points and five assists and Fred Ross contributed 11 points, seven boards and two assists.

“We played good team ball tonight, we moved the ball well and the guys were getting out in transition," Clark said. "Our transition game is what I was most proud of.”

Patrick Mahomes had a game-high 23 points along with eight rebounds for Whitehouse, while Spencer Shaw added 12 points in the losing effort.

John Tyler was up 37-18 at halftime, and led by as many as 27 in the fourth quarter.

“We weren’t ready to play," Whitehouse coach Ryan Tomlin said. "They just came out and were getting to the basket on us way too easily and they were finishing. We took too many 3’s probably, and that leads to long rebounds and they got after us. Defensively, they didn’t let us get anything easy. Every shot we took was contested. It kinda snowballed on us.”

Sophomore post Justin Dunning had solid game off the bench for the Wildcats with nine points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots.

“If there was a positive it was some of the kids off our bench played well, and they’re growing up as sophomores," Tomlin said. "I love how they finished and played hard until the end. I’m not happy that some of our starters didn’t show up and they know that. We talked about storms. You have to weather storms on the court and in life, and we all go through them. It’s how you respond and deal with them.”

John Tyler is back in action Tuesday at home against Corsicana, while Whitehouse travels to Lindale.

Tameal Jones' Buzzer-Beater Lifts Lady Lions

Tamael Jones drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the John Tyler Lady Lions a 52-49 win over Whitehouse earlier on Friday.

After a pair of missed free throws at the other end, JT's Tiaka Lee took the inbounds pass with eight seconds remaining and sped up the court. At the last moment, she spotted Jones at the top of the key for the game-winner.

Jones finished with eight points, all in the fourth quarter. Lee led the Lady Lions (21-10, 6-3) with 14 points, three rebounds and three assists. Quaneshia Johnson added 11 points, four boards, thee assists and two steals.

Kenslie Dews led Whitehouse (13-12, 3-6) with 19 points, which included four 3-pointers. Morgan Tauscher added 10 points and six assists. As a team, the LadyCats hit nine 3's.

The LadyCats were eliminated from playoff contention after Jacksonville's victory over Corsicana.

Whitehouse led 38-25 late in the third quarter, but the Lady Lions closed the period on a 12-0 run to cut the deficit to one entering the fourth.

Jones put JT ahead 39-38 early in the fourth, but the LadyCats surged back ahead with an 8-0 run, leading 46-39 with 5:06 remaining.

A 3-point play by JT's Amia Wickware tied the game, 46-46, with 47.8 seconds remaining and the Lady Lions went ahead 48-46 on a pair of free throws by Jones.

Dews' final 3 of the night gave Whitehouse a 49-48 lead with 28 seconds to go, but Jones evened the game by knocking down one of two foul shots on the other end.

JT finishes its regular season Tuesday at home against Corsicana, while Whitehouse travels to No. 18 Lindale.

---

District 16-4A Boys Basketball
At Wildcat Arena, Whitehouse
John Tyler 75, Whitehouse 60

John Tyler              22   15   19   19   --   75
Whitehouse              8   10   19   23   --   60
JOHN TYLER--Jordan Caldwell, 16; Tyus Bowser, 13; Greg Ward, 12; Fred Ross, 11; Isaac Warren, 7; Darion Flowers, 6; Keaunte Humber, 4; Rodney Bendy, 2; Elliot Hart, 2; JaVonte Tramble, 2.
WHITEHOUSE--Patrick Mahomes, 23; Spencer Shaw, 12; Justin Dunning, 9; Ty Stickley, 9; Jaylon Dews, 3; Jacob Lundmark, 2; Jake Parker, 2.
RECORDS--John Tyler 11-14 (5-2); Whitehouse 20-8 (4-3).

---

District 16-4A Girls Basketball
At Wildcat Arena, Whitehouse
John Tyler 52, Whitehouse 49

John Tyler                8    9   20   15   --   52
Whitehouse            13    7   18   11   --   49
JOHN TYLER--Tiaka Lee, 14; Quaneshia Johnson, 11; Tameal Jones, 8; Ashtyn Beal, 6; Nola Jackson, 6; Amia Wickware, 5; DeDe Rouge, 2.
WHITEHOUSE--Kenslie Dews, 19; Morgan Tauscher, 10; Brooke Stewart, 8; Ashton Ates, 5; Madyson Wilkins, 3; Lexus Phelps, 2; Victoria Taylor, 2.
RECORDS--John Tyler 21-10 (6-3); Whitehouse 13-12 (3-6).

More From East Texas Sports Network