Wagstaff Holiday Classic: Late Run Helps Tyler All Saints Capture Championship

TYLER -- There was an opportunity for Bullard Brook Hill to get back in the game Saturday. For a moment, it seemed the Guard had seized it.

After Scottie Turner went down with injury, Tyler All Saints struggled offensively but leaned on defense as Brook Hill appeared to slowly creep back into the game. The Trojans would find their rhythm again the the fourth, going on a late run to secure a 62-46 victory in the Gold Bracket championship game of the Wagstaff Holiday Classic.

Turner suffered an ankle injury during the third quarter and exited with 13 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals.

After Brook Hill cut the lead to 8, All Saints went on a 10-0 run form the 4:51 to 3:19 mark in the fourth. The run was highlighted by back-to-back 3-pointers from Kyle Patrick and Levi McCasland, who delivered the dagger with 3:37 remaining to put the Trojans up 50-35.

“These guys pride themselves on defense," coach Brian Jones said. "They did a great job. When Scottie went down we had the lead. That doesn’t mean we had to lose it. These guys just collectively came together. We practice scenarios like that all the time. They’re such a tight-knit group and they have great chemistry with each other. When Scottie went down, everybody just at each other and was like, ‘Hey, let’s go. It’s time to pick it up.’ They did a great job of picking it up and having his back.”

Logan Francis led the Trojans with 19 points, including four 3-pointers. He also had four rebounds and three assists. McCasland finished with 16 points and eight rebounds.

Jared Johnson and Jospeh Johnson tied for the team-high in points for Brook Hill with 11 apiece. Jared Johnson also had nine rebounds.

Brook Hill's run through the Gold bracket included victories against Arp and Van before Saturday. Jones said the event, in addition to being an East Texas tradition, is a great test for his team against some of the top talent in the area.

“It’s filled with competition," he said. "The crowd, the environment. East Texas is all around. You look at the fans. It doesn’t matter if they’re All Saints fans, Lindale fans, Jacksonville fans. They all come to watch these games. Even if your team isn’t playing, they come to watch this tournament. Hats off to coach Marquis and TJC. It’s great competition. It gets us battle tested. It’s another test that we go through and you get to pick out the pros and the cons and learn the weaknesses and strengths. No pressure, no diamond."

The Trojans next face Dallas Bishop Lynch at 5 p.m. Wednesday at home. Brook Hill will hope to rebound against Lufkin Hudson at 2 p.m. Thursday in Lufkin.

Tyler Lee falls in Diamond Bracket championship to Grand Prairie, 70-49

TYLER -- Although Tyler Lee managed to keep it close in the first half, Grand Prairie too over late.

The Red Raiders fell 70-49 on Saturday in the Diamond Bracket championship game of the Wagstaff Holiday Classic at Tyler Junior College.

Lee trailed only 27-19 at the half and came as close as within three in the third quarter. But two quick buckets from Donovan Newton sparked an 11-4 Grand Prairie to bring the lead back to double digits with 1:51 in the quarter.

The Gophers began the fourth quarter with a 12-point lead and a 10-2 start all but secured the victory. Donald Ghostone led Grand Prairie with 18 points while Deuce Malone added 15 off the bench.

Matt Wade's midrange shot proved deadly, as he led Lee with 16 points in the loss.

The Red Raiders will look to bounce back against Mesquite at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Mesquite to open District 11-6A play.