ANDREW SALMI andrew.salmi@granitemedia partners.com
The Taylor High School boys varsity basketball team came up just short at home Tuesday, Nov. 21 against Salado High School as the Ducks were beaten 64-59 by the Eagles.
Under Taylor Head Coach Stephen Gibson, the Ducks got off to a fast start and had a 19-11 lead by the end of the first quarter. The lead then was as much as 26-15 for Taylor until Salado finally got going on offense as the Eagles attacked with consistent scoring down low in the paint. Salado made a rally and took a slight 30-28 lead over Taylor by halftime.
In the second half and down the stretch of the game, it was a backand- forth affair between the Ducks and the Eagles with both teams trading leads. However, it was turnovers by the Ducks on offense and miscommunication on defense that led to some easy buckets for the Eagles. Taylor simply could not get over the hump as they fell 64-59 in a tight game.
“I have a very young and inexperienced team at the varsity level,” Gibson said. “Seven of my 11 players are coming off the football field and haven’t really touched a basketball until the past week and a half. It’s just going to take some time but I feel that when we finally come around we’re going to be one of the best 4A teams in the area.”
Taylor senior Treos Richardson continued his outstanding start to the 2023-24 regular season for the Ducks as he led all scorers with a game-high 29 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals in the loss to Salado. Ducks junior T.J. Whybrew also scored in double figures with 12 points and six rebounds, while fellow junior Eli Lawrence had a solid all-around game with nine points, eight rebounds and three assists.
The Ducks (1-2 overall record) will return from Thanksgiving break Tuesday, Nov. 28 when Taylor travels to take on the Bulldogs of Burnet High School. Taylor will then compete Nov. 30 through Dec. 2 at the Waco ISD Classic Tournament against larger schools as the Ducks will open pool play Nov. 30 at 9 a.m. against the Lions of Waco High School and then conclude the day at 11 a.m. versus Dallas Madison High School.
