Randall’s Kainan Thomas celebrates after a big bucket against Palo Duro in a District 3-5A showdown Friday night at the Palo Duro Activity Center. [Tom Carver/ Press Pass Sports]
District 3-5A is underway
Despite Randall star player Aaron Ovalle playing only three minutes in the first half in foul trouble, the Raiders found a way to sneak past Palo Duro 74-68 in a key District 3-5A opener Friday at the Palo Duro Activity Center.
Ovalle, who averages 22 points a game, did see minutes in the second half, but it was teammate Kainan Thomas stepping up pouring in a game-high 28 points to lead Randall to the win. In a very competitive district, the Raiders improve to 14-1 overall and 1-0 in league action. A talented Dons squad suffers its first loss, dropping to 12-1, 0-1.
Amarillo High had no issues in its district opener blowing out Plainview 56-29. Junior guard Brendan Hausen lit up the Bulldogs for 19 points.
Tascosa also got in the win column beating Caprock 60-45.
Naz, Texline lives up to billing
In the first meeting of two of the best in Class 1A, Nazareth and Texline sure didn’t disappoint in a District 3-1A showdown in Texline on Friday night.
In an epic finish, Swifts guard Luke Betzen knocked down a 3-ball from the corner as time expired for the game-winner as Nazareth stunned the Tornadoes, 71-68.
During this back and forth contest it came down the final minute. Nazareth led 68-65 as the clock ticked down inside 20 seconds. That’s when Texline junior William Luther hit a clutch 3-pointer to tie the game, 68-68, with 15 seconds left. However, Texline left time for Betzen and the Swifts to set up one more shot and the senior took full advantage as time expired.
Betzen finished with a team-high 26 points, while Luther led all scorers with 27.
Nazareth is now 2-0 in district and 9-7 overall. Texline drops to 10-3, 2-1.
Friday’s top performers
Landyn Hack and Zion Mercer combined for 40 points that helped Panhandle beat Memphis, 80-50.
Pampa’s Casen Floyd lit up River Road for 29 points in a 55-43 Harvesters win in a nondistrict clash.
Clarendon’s Jmaury Davis poured in 20 points in a District 2-2A opener to lift the Broncos past Clarendon, 67-50.
District 3-5A
Randall 12 37 57 74
Palo Duro 16 33 55 68
R— Thomas 28, Baccas 11. P— Luckey 20, Mohamed 17. Records: Randall 14-1, 1-0, Palo Duro 12-1, 0-1.
Plainview 8 13 20 29
Amarillo High 13 23 37 56
P— Dolf Martinez 21. AHS— Brendan Hausen 19, Damonze Woods 10. Records: Amarillo High 11-2, 1-0.
Tascosa 60, Caprock 45
District 2-3A
Slaton 6 12 31 36
Childress 19 46 53 64
S— Gibbs 14. C— Tucker 12, Nickelberry 12. Records: Childress 7-3, 2-1.
Abernathy 17 26 43 65
Tulia 8 17 31 39
A— Rodriguez 20, Houston 13. T— Franco 13. Records: Abernathy 11-4, 3-0.
Shallowater 63, Idalou 39
District 2-2A
Clarendon 18 35 51 67
Wellington 8 20 33 50
C— Davis 20, Ballard 14, Thompson 13. W— Bryant Tarver 20, Jordan Nation 10, Braylon Tarver 10. Records: Clarendon 9-4, 1-0; Wellington 3-4, 0-1.
Panhandle 17 38 58 80
Memphis 5 18 36 50
P— Hack 20, Mercer 20.. M— Garcia 16, Flores 15. Records: Panhandle 9-3, 1-0; Memphis 4-7, 0-1.
Shamrock 6 23 27 42
Wheeler 13 22 33 44
S— Wright 19. W— Diego Richardo 18. Record: Shamrock 8-4, 0-1.
District 1-1A
Lefors 3 5 9 18
McLean 16 29 43 45
L— Taylor 7. M— McDonald 13, Carter 10. Records: McLean 3-4, 2-2
Follett 20 36 49 57
Darrouzett 16 32 42 54
F— Watson 16, Braley 11. D— Robledo 22, Bonilla 15. Records: Follett 3-2, 1-1
Miami 53, Ft. Elliot 36
Record: Miami 4-8, 3-1.
District 3-1A
Nazareth 11 25 53 71
Texline 14 34 49 68
N— Betzen 26, Cleavinger 21. T— Luther 27, Potter 17. Records: Nazareth 9-7, 2-0; Texline 10-3, 2-1.
Happy 4 12 26 40
Hartley 2 8 19 32
Hap— Kyton Johnson 11, Arik Coile 10. Har— Jorge Chavira 13, Jacob Drew 8. Record: Happy 4-5, 2-2.
Nondistrict
River Road 5 22 29 43
Pampa 6 24 41 55
R— Malone 26.. P— Floyd 29, Skinner 10. Records: Pampa 6-5
Wildorado 6 14 28 41
Groom 11 17 25 40
W— Albracht 11, Cleavinger 8. G— Lamb 26, Williams 9. Records: Wildorado 14-2. Groom 2-3
