Our Ball High Tors rang in the 24-25 basketball season in a non-league contest against the La Marque Cougars, losing this matchup 52-34. The Cougars exacted revenge for the devastating loss they suffered the last time these two teams met.
In the second game of the season the Tors hosted the Clear Creek Wildcats, and the Tors walked away with their first win of the season 59-55. Senior Taj Petteway led the scoring with 23 points, shooting 8-13 from the field. Also helping on the defensive side with three takeaways and six defensive rebounds.
The Tors then faced the Dickinson Gators and did not disappoint the home crowd. Final score: 63-59. The Tors pulled away with this win late in the game, scoring 22 points and while their defense dominated Dickinson, holding them to 10 points in the fourth quarter.
Seniors Taj Pettaway and Phoenix Pope came out guns blazing, scoring a combined 15 poisons in the first quarter, helping Ball High to a 20-15 lead at the end of the quarter
However, the Gators stormed back to lead 35-30 at the end of the first half.
The second half turned into a game of runs. The Tors opened the second half with a 11-2 streak, and Dickinson, not backing down, came back with 12 unanswered points, grabbing a 49-41 going into the last quarter.
The Gators turned cold in the fourth quarter, shooting a paltry 3-12 from the field and 2-6 from the free throw line. The Tors took advantage of the cold shooting from Dickinson and came out on top.
“I’m so fortunate to coach this group of guys,” said Jerald Temple, Ball High’s head coach. “Just their talent level and once we got all of our players, I think we’re going to be a formidable opponent for everyone.”
