THRALL — Steven Walker scored a game-high 24 points and the Thrall Tigers (14-0) overcame a slow first quarter, to thump the Florence Buffaloes 54-26, and remain unbeaten on the season.
Florence grabbed the early lead with a 5-2 scoring edge over the first 2:28 of the game, but Breken Proctor’s threepointer from the left side knotted the game at five. The Buffaloes regained the lead with two buckets midway through the first quarter, but again the Tigers rallied. Thrall outscored Florence 7-0 over the final 2:16 of the period and took a 12-9 lead into the second quarter.
“We didn’t shoot the ball very well, but we did play good defensively,” said Thrall Head Coach Charles Tindol. “I think that was the main reason for the win.”
It was all Tigers in the second quarter as they outscored the Buffaloes 24-0 in the period. Walker scored a teamhigh 14 points in the quarter, while Payton Gillmore added five and the Tigers led 36-9 at the half.
Thrall’s offense continued to fire on all cylinders in the third quarter. Proctor got the hot hand and dropped in a trio of three-point shots, and Walker scored his final seven points of the game. Thrall outscored the Buffaloes 18-7 in the period and expanded the lead to 52-16 by the end of the quarter.
Thrall was content to slow the game down in the fourth period. Each time down the floor, the Tigers would use up time. Florence did manage to put 10 points on the board in the fourth quarter, while the Tigers added just two points, a put-back layup by Dawson Meiske. However, Thrall did manage to get its bench some beneficial playing time.
“I was glad we were able to get everybody some quality minutes on the floor,” Tindol said. “We really need our bench to get some confidence, and continue to improve, which they are.”
The Tigers started District 27-2A play on Tuesday night when they traveled to Granger to face the Lions (7-5). Following Tuesday’s game, the Tigers will be off until December 27 when they travel to Brownwood to take part in the TexasBank Holiday Classic. The tournament runs through December 29. Thrall will open the tournament against the Gorman Panthers (2-7).
Thrall High School boys varsity basketball senior Steven Walker shoots a free throw Nov. 28 during the Tigers’ home contest versus Burton High School. Photo by Larry Pelchat
