ANDREW SALMI andrew.salmi @granitemediapartners.com
GRANGER — The Granger High School boys varsity basketball team returned home Tuesday, Jan. 9 against Bartlett High School and the Lions picked up a huge 51-34 victory over the district rival Bulldogs.
This Lions squad got off to a 21-12 lead after the first quarter and shut down the Bulldogs’ offense in the second quarter as Granger led Bartlett 31-16 at halftime and continued to handle business throughout the second half.
“With Bartlett being a big rival that we haven’t beaten over the past four years, I think that contributed to the team being locked in on defense,” said Granger Head Coach Chaston Kubacak. “I do think we have been improving drastically throughout the year on that side of the ball because of their effort and hustle.”
The Lions were led by yet another solid game from senior Trae Herrera as he had 14 points on a pair of three-pointers, five rebounds and four assists.
“Trae is a great leader of our team, along with a couple of other guys, which creates great chemistry and a great locker room,” Kubacak said.
“When we get into games it feels as if he’s somewhat ‘contagious’ when Trae gets going.
Everybody else on the court gets going as well.” Granger sophomore Kael Jackson also scored in double figures against Bartlett as he tied a team-high with 14 points on two shots made from behind the arc, nine rebounds and one steal. In addition to eight points from junior Isaac Campos, the Lions got seven points from sophomore Caleb Tucker after he missed over four weeks with an injury.
“He actually came back sooner than I was originally thinking, but that is just a testament of how dedicated and how much of a hard worker he is,” Kubacak said of Tucker. “He really worked hard with his rehab and physical therapy, ended up getting back on the court and making some key contributions in the win.”
Following a 2A-District 27 road game Jan. 12 at Holland High School, the Lions (10-7 overall, 1-2 district record) will then travel Tuesday to take on Hearne High School.
