Patrick Mahomes + Whitehouse Outlast John Tyler in Physical Overtime Thriller

TYLER -- Time was running out and the Whitehouse Wildcats needed a big play. They turned to none other than Patrick Mahomes.

Mahomes picked off a pass and converted a 3-point play at the other end to help Whitehouse rally from a six-point, fourth-quarter deficit and send the game to overtime. The Wildcats eventually were able to pull out a 46-43 win over John Tyler on Friday night in front of a jam-packed and emotionally-charged Lions Den.

The win, coupled with Jacksonville's loss to Corsicana, gave Whitehouse (22-5, 6-1) a two-game lead in District 16-4A with three games to play.

"We knew how big this game was," said Whitehouse coach Brent Kelley. "We were either going to come back down to the pack or distance ourselves tonight. And our kids responded."

Made baskets were hard to come by all night in a defensive slugfest that featured an ejection and one player from each team having to leave the court because of blood.

"John Tyler's a great defensive team and we played great defense," Mahomes said. "That's a good team and to beat them twice in one year is a big accomplishment."

Mahomes finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds to lead the way for Whitehouse, while Spencer Shaw added 13 points, 11 of which came in the second half.

Rodney Bendy knocked down a pair of free throws to give John Tyler (12-10, 4-3) a 37-31 lead with 3:41 remaining in the fourth. But Whitehouse answered with a bucket from Shaw and two free throws from Mahomes to cut the lead to two points.

On John Tyler's next possession, Mahomes stepped in front of a John Tyler pass around midcourt and raced toward the basket. He was fouled, but his layup fell through the net and the ensuing foul shot was true to give Whitehouse a 38-37 lead with 1:41 to play in the fourth.

"That was a big play," Kelley said. "Big players make big plays in big games. He did it at Jacksonville, he did it tonight. He's our guy and he stepped up right there and got us the lead."

Added Mahomes: "It was a big momentum swing. I knew I had to make a play, so I just took a risk and went for the pass. I was lucky to catch it, I was trying to draw the foul and i just put the ball up and it went in."

Jordan Caldwell hit one of two foul shots to tie the game at 38-38, where it remained until the overtime session.

Keaunte Humber's putback gave John Tyler a 43-42 lead with 1:04 remaining in the extra period, but Whitehouse retook the lead on a Jaylon Dews layup assisted by Mahomes with 50 seconds showing on the clock.

John Tyler turned it over on its next series as simultaneous possession was called with the possession arrow in Whitehouse's favor. John Tyler opted to foul Shaw with 30 seconds remaining, and Shaw knocked down both free throws to push Whitehouse's lead to 46-43.

The Lions still had a chance to tie it, but Isaac Warren's 3-point attempt was no good and the ball travelled out of bounds with 6.3 seconds to play. John Tyler then stole Whitehouse's inbounds pass but was unable to throw up a shot before the buzzer sounded.

"Four of our last eight games have gone to overtime," Kelley said. "It's going to make and old man of me fast. It's nerve-racking, but like I told our kids going into overtime, we've been in this situation before."

Whitehouse was forced to play the entire fourth quarter and overtime without starting point guard Jake Parker, who was ejected after picking up his second technical foul of the night at the end of the third quarter.

"We've played without guys all year long," Kelley said. "The next guy up always seems to step up, and that's why I'm proud of this team. You never know who's going to step in and do the job. Tonight, (backup point guard) Devon Miles stepped in and did a great job for us."

John Tyler had a balanced scoring effort. Jordan Caldwell had a team-high nine points to go with three steals and two rebounds. Rodney Bendy added eight points, four rebounds, four blocks and two steals, Keaunte Humber had eight points and five boards and Kevon Jackson finished with seven points, five rebounds and a block.

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

Whitehouse 46, John Tyler 43 (OT)

District 16-4A Boys Basketball

At Lions Den, Tyler

Whitehouse             10    7   10   11    8   --   46
John Tyler                8   10   12    8    5   --   43
WHITEHOUSE (22-5, 6-1) -- Patrick Mahomes, 24; Spencer Shaw, 13; Devon Miles, 5; Jaylon Dews, 2; Brady Hill, 2.
JOHN TYLER (12-10, 4-3) -- Jordan Caldwell, 9; Rodney Bendy, 8; Keaunte Humber, 8; Kevron Jackson, 7; Isaac Warren, 6; J'Khari Lewis, 3; J'Michael Jasper, 2.
THREE-POINT GOALS -- Whitehouse: Mahomes, Miles. John Tyler: Lewis.