By DAVID MAY
Special to Mineral Wells Area News
Let’s move around the perimeter and see how Palo Pinto County hoops teams are faring as the 2022-23 season deepens.
GRAFORD
The Graford Jackrabbits took a break from district action on Friday to take down Class 3A Idalou, 57-51, for their fourth straight win.
The win raised the boys’ season record to 16-4. Ranked No. 5 in Class 1A by Maxpreps, Graford is 4-0 in District 21-1A play. They return to district play Friday, traveling to face the Woodson Cowboys (16-5, 3-2).
The Lady ‘Rabbits got back into the win column Jan. 9 with a 58-18 district win over Bryson. Now 20-5 on the season, the ladies sit in third place in District 21-1A with a 4-2 mark, behind Newcastle (21-1, 6-0) and Throckmorton (20-2, 5-1).
No. 12 Graford returns to action Tuesday at Garner (10-11, 0-4).
GORDON
The Gordon Longhorns (9-4) are off to a strong start in District 19-1A with a 4-0 ledger after convincingly defeating rival Strawn, 74-18, on Friday on the Greyhounds’ home court.
The ‘Horns also have district wins over Gorman, Huckabay and Lingleville. Gordon will complete the first half of its district slate on Tuesday at Bluff Dale, where the Bobcats are 5-9, 2-2.
The Lady ‘Horns are equally hot in district action, boasting a perfect 6-0 mark after defeating Strawn, 68-26, on Friday for their 12th straight win. Gordon improved their season mark to 19-8.
On Tuesday, Gordon will begin the second half of their district schedule at Bluff Dale, where the Lady Bobcats are 6-11, 1-5. The Lady Horns defeated Bluff Dale 74-5 on Dec. 12, the first of three games out of four in which Gordon held their opponent to less than 10 points.
SANTO
It’s a down hoops year for the Santo Wildcats and Lady Wildcats.
The boys are 1-3 in District 11-2A and just 7-16 overall. They are on a five-game losing skid after falling to Hico, 40-36, on Friday.
Santo has a chance to end the skid Tuesday when they visit Tolar, which is just 6-12 and 2-2 with a two-game losing streak of their own.
The Lady Wildcats dropped a 46-33 decision Friday at Hico, lowering their season mark to 9-12 and leaving them 2-3 in district. The Santo ladies take on Tolar (16-10, 5-0) on Tuesday.
STRAWN
The Lady Greyhounds have won just one of their last 10 games and are on a two-game skid after falling to Gordon, 68-26, on Friday. Strawn is 4-11 on the year and 1-4 in District 19-1A.
The Lady ‘Hounds will try to end the modest skid Tuesday when they take on Lingleville, which is 5-12 on the year and 3-3 in district.
The Strawn boys have not reported complete season scores, though they have to report a win on the season. Following a loss to Gorman, the Hounds lost to Gordon, 74-18, on Friday. They host Lingleville (12-12, 2-2) on Tuesday.