WACO — The Taylor High School boys varsity basketball team ended a rough weekend at the Waco ISD Classic on a high note Dec. 2 with a very close 67-65 loss to Cedar Hill Trinity Leadership Public School.
“The tournament in Waco was a learning experience for my guys as they had an opportunity to see a totally different brand of basketball,” Ducks Head Coach Stephen Gibson said.
“Although we didn’t get the results we wanted, our guys learned what high-level basketball is about and this experience will definitely benefit us in the long run.”
Taylor had four straight lopsided losses last week at the tournament as they fell to Waco High School, Dallas Madison High School, Austin Brentwood Christian School and Fort Worth Wyatt High School by at least 20 points each.
However, the Ducks put it together Saturday with team basketball in a very close 67-65 loss at the hands of Trinity Leadership. Taylor was led all weekend by senior standout Treos Richardson, who concluded the final day at the Waco tourney against the Trinity Leadership Tigers with a team-high 26 points, 17 rebounds and four assists.
Ducks junior T.J.
Whybrew had 10 points and five rebounds, while fellow junior Eli Laurence also scored in double figures with 10 points and five rebounds of his own. Senior guard Antonio Torres knocked down a pair of threepointers in the loss and finished with eight points, four rebounds and three assists for Taylor.
The Ducks (1-8 overall record) look to end their eight-game losing skid Tuesday night at home versus Wimberley High School and will then host the threeday Taylor Tournament beginning Dec. 7 at the Duck Pond.
“This tournament is special because it gives our community an opportunity to showcase some quality basketball,” Gibson said. “This is the second showcase that I’ve been a part of here in Taylor. We have some exciting teams coming this year and are expecting it to be a big success.”
Taylor will have its first game of the tournament Thursday morning at 10:30 a.m. hosting Killeen Chaparral High School.
Taylor High School boys varsity basketball junior T.J. Whybrew (center) puts up a fadeaway jumper Tuesday, Nov. 21 during the Ducks’ home game against Salado High School. Photo by Andrew Salmi
