SHEPHERD — The Shepherd Pirates battled through an intense overtime game on Nov. 25, narrowly defeating the 5A Splendora Wildcats 62-60.
Shepherd started strong, posting 15 points in the first quarter. However, the momentum slowed slightly in the second and third quarters, where the Pirates scored 13 points each. A determined fourth-quarter effort added another 15 points, forcing a 56-56 tie and sending the game into overtime.
In the decisive fifth quarter, the Pirates held their ground, scoring 6 points. Strong defense limited the Wildcats to just 4 points in overtime, securing Shepherd’s hard-fought victory over the larger 5A opponent.
Braydon Mettlen led Shepherd with an impressive 22-point performance, including 4-for-7 shooting at the free-throw line. Brayden White also delivered, contributing 18 points and going 3-for-5 at the line. Additional points came from Jamal Horton and Darrian Matthews with 6 each, and Rogelio Covarrubias, who added 4.
After the game, Coach Jeremy Bennett reflected on the victory: “We were finally able to adjust our game plan and find a strategy that worked against a very strong 5A team.”
The Shepherd Pirates secured a solid victory against the Buna Cougars on Nov. 23 with a final score of 61-48.
The Pirates were led by their dominant center, Brayden White, who tallied 17 points despite facing foul trouble in the fourth quarter.
Nicholas Singletary contributed 6 points in the second quarter with a pair of 3-point shots, while Joshua Stowe added 14 points, including two from beyond the arc. Braydon Mettlen also chipped in with a consistent performance, scoring 14 points throughout the game. Rogelio Covarrubias and Jamal Horton each added four points to round out the Pirates’ scoring.
The Pirates took control of the game early, establishing a lead at halftime and never letting up. They applied consistent pressure on both ends of the court, limiting Buna’s offense and dictating the pace of play.
Bennett expressed satisfaction with the win but acknowledged the room for improvement.
“It was a win, and I am OK with that, but we have a lot of items to fix and adjust before district play,” he said. “Huffman Falcons will be a challenge this year with a lot of athletes returning. If we can get to the second seed for the UIL tournament, we will be fine.”
On a special Saturday game, Shepherd had a showdown against the visiting West Fork Gators.
The Gators, known for their defensive prowess, set the tone early. They consistently outscored the Pirates in the first three quarters, putting up 14, 15, and 16 points, respectively. Meanwhile, the Pirates managed to tally 10, 7, and 15 points during the same stretch, struggling to keep up with West Fork’s disciplined gameplay.
Despite the deficit, the Pirates mounted a spirited comeback attempt in the fourth quarter. Their determination on the court electrified the home crowd, as they poured in 21 points, their highest-scoring quarter of the game. However, the early lead established by the Gators proved too much to overcome. West Fork secured the victory with a final score of 60-53.
For the Pirates, standout performances came from several players. Nicholas Singletary contributed 2 points, while Rogelio Covarrubias added 1 point from the free-throw line. Braydon Mettlen and Joshua Stowe both chipped in 7 points each. The star of the night, however, was Brayden White, the Pirates’ dominant center, who delivered an incredible 31-point performance, excelling both under the basket and at the free-throw line, where he was a perfect 9-for-9.
Coldspring
The Trojans stunned the Buffalo Bison with a 47-45 win in Coldspring on Nov. 22.
The energy in the gym was electric, with fans on the edge of their seats as the Buffalo Bison’s lead dwindled against the underdog Coldspring Trojans.
By halftime, the game was a nail-biter, tied at 20. The Bison headed to the locker room determined to recalibrate their strategy, while the Trojans regrouped to keep the momentum alive.
The third quarter saw the Bison regain control with their aggressive offense, pushing their lead and seemingly setting their sights on an opening-night victory. But the Trojans refused to fold. Coach Cordell Carter called multiple timeouts early in the fourth quarter, using every moment to adjust the Trojans’ defense and find a way to neutralize Buffalo’s attack.
“We just couldn’t stop their offense with our man-to-man press,” Carter said. “So, we focused on keeping them out of the paint, and it worked.”
Gradually, the Trojans began to wear down the Bison. Recognizing Buffalo’s strength in long-range shooting, Carter adjusted the defense to pressure their three-point shooters.
As the fourth quarter unfolded, the game took a dramatic turn. Coldspring found their offensive rhythm, sinking key shots and building momentum. With seconds ticking away, the Trojans closed the gap to a single point. Then, a clutch basket from Coldspring not only tied the game but also seized the lead.
Desperation fouls by the Bison in the closing moments only extended the Trojans’ advantage as they sank free throws to seal the victory.
Coldspring hosted the Pollok Central Bulldogs on Nov. 26 in an intense matchup that showcased grit, strategy, and stellar shooting. The Bulldogs, boasting an impressive 7-2 record, faced off against the undefeated Trojans, who entered the game at 2-0.
The Trojans came out firing on all cylinders, opening the game with a red-hot start and quickly building a double-digit lead. However, the Bulldogs regrouped, making key adjustments on defense that slowed Coldspring’s momentum. By halftime, Central had clawed their way back to hold a narrow 1-point lead.
The third quarter saw the Bulldogs find their rhythm offensively, outscoring the Trojans 45-42. Central’s dynamic game plan and sharp shooting from beyond the arc proved to be decisive in the final frame. The Bulldogs posted a strong 16-point fourth quarter, sealing a 61-53 victory.
For Coldspring, Bryan Doughlas led the charge with 15 points, followed by Josh Brimsley with 9 and Cadyn Barton adding 8. The Trojans fought valiantly, with five players sinking three-pointers during the game, but they couldn’t overcome Central’s long-range firepower.
