Second-Ranked Grapeland Runs Away From Tenaha + Into Saturday’s Regional Title Game

TYLER -- Ever since having to rally from 14 points down in the fourth quarter of their area-round playoff, the second-ranked Grapeland Sandies have officially been on cruise control.

Tenaha was the latest victim, as Grapeland erupted for 32 third-quarter points to run away for an 83-49 rout in their Class A Division I Region III semifinal Friday afternoon at Wagstaff Gym.

Grapeland (32-4) will face No. 6 LaPoynor (31-4) at 4 p.m. Saturday back in Tyler for the regional championship and a berth at next week's state tournament in Austin. The Sandies rallied in the fourth quarter and overtime to sneak past Martin's Mill last Friday before burying Kerens 88-70 earlier this week, setting the stage for perhaps their most impressive performance of the season.

Patrick Walker led Grapeland with 27 points -- 21 in the first half -- to go along with eight rebounds. Jacolby Simpson, who drained three of his four 3-pointers in the pivotal third quarter, finished with 18 points and seven boards. William Whitehead added 11 points and 12 rebounds, while Dominic DeCello chipped in with 10 points and two assists.

The scoreboard wasn't the only area of domination for Grapeland, which outrebounded Tenaha 41-19 for the game.

The Tigers were led by J.R. HIll, who scored 12 points off the bench. Chavis Gregory added 10 points, six rebounds and three assists, while Jacoby Ivy and Tyler Davison had nine points apiece and combined for five rebounds.

The Sandies' third-quarter barrage included five 3-pointers as Grapeland turned what was a 14-point game at halftime into a 33-point advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

A traditional 3-point play by Jaques Faulk, a 3-point shot by Simpson and a Walker layup swelled Grapeland's lead to 47-25 just 2:08 into the second half. Simpson then knocked down another trey, preceding a 12-0 run that pushed the Sandies' lead to 62-29 with 2:58 remaining in the period.

The lead got as big as 39 points when DeCello's free throws gave Grapeland a 77-38 advantage with 3:46 showing in the fourth quarter.

No. 2 Grapeland 83, No. 8 Tenaha 49

Boys Class A Division I Region III Semifinal

At Tyler Junior College's Wagstaff Gym

Tenaha                9   14   13   13   --   49
Grapeland          17   20   32   14   --   83
TENAHA (20-4) -- J.R. Hill, 12; Chavis Gregory, 10; Tyler Davison, 9; Jacoby Ivy, 9; Keontas Davis, 5; Blaine Cumming, 2; Colton Geoke, 2.
GRAPELAND (31-4) -- Patrick Walker, 27; Jacolby Simpson, 18; William Whitehead, 11; Dominic DeCello, 10; Jaques Faulk, 8; Demetri Walker, 5; John McKnight, 3; Rodney Davis, 1.
THREE-POINT GOALS -- Tenaha: Hill (2), Davis, Davison, Gregory. Grapeland: Simpson (4), DeCello (2), Walker (2), Faulk.