THRALL — Steven Walker was a near oneman wrecking crew Tuesday night with 27 points, 13 rebounds, seven steals, six block shots, and five assists, and the Thrall Tigers (24-5 overall, 7-4 District 27-2A) clinched a playoff spot with a 70-47 win over the Milano Eagles.
Walker scored 11 of his points in the opening period, and after shaking off the Eagles late in the period, the Tigers took a 20-9 lead into the second period.
Thrall held a slim 13-9 advantage with 1:31 to play in the opening quarter but finished off the quarter with a 7-0 run.
In the second period, the Tigers moved into the style of basketball that has made them so successful this season.
Multiple players put points on the board and kept opposing defenses off balance.
Breken Proctor, who finished the night with 15 points, scored five for the Tigers in the second, while Walker added four and Payton Gillmore scored on a three-point jumper.
Milano tallied 11 in the quarter, but Thrall pushed its lead to 36-20 at the half.
The Eagles’ offense finally got on track in the third quarter, using a trio of three-point shots to tally 17 in the quarter. Meanwhile, Dawson Meiske, Walker and Proctor each scored four points in the Tigers’ 17-point third quarter, and Thrall maintained its 16-point lead entering the final period.
Walker resumed his scoring onslaught in the fourth quarter, dropping in eight points on the Eagles. But, while Walker carried the load in the period, the Tigers held true to form with four other players scoring in the quarter.
Walker led all scorers, while Proctor added 15. Meiske and Ethan Dahl each scored eight for the Tigers.
Meiske also grabbed 13 rebounds, while Dahl hauled in 11.
Thrall was off on Friday but will conclude the regular portion of their schedule on Tuesday night when they host District 27-2A champion Thorndale (27-3, 10-0). The Bulldogs squeaked out a 52-50 win in their first match-up, scoring the winning basket in the closing seconds of the game. A win would secure third place for the Tigers, while a loss could leave Thrall in a tie with Hearne for the final two playoff spots, forcing a playoff game.
