PALO PINTO COUNTY SHOOTOUT! Graford, Gordon meet in today's regional final with trip to state on the line

PALO PINTO COUNTY SHOOTOUT! Graford, Gordon meet in today’s regional final with trip to state on the line

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PALO PINTO COUNTY SHOOTOUT! Graford, Gordon meet in today’s regional final with trip to state on the line

March 02

10:33 2024

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By DAVID MAY

Special to Mineral Wells Area News

MANSFIELD – The Gordon Longhorns and two-time Class 1A defending champions Graford Jackrabbits cruised to regional semifinal wins Friday night and will face off today at Mansfield High School with the winner headed to the state championship rounds.

The Region III final is scheduled to tip off at 2 p.m. The game can be watched online by clicking this official live streaming link.

Playing the day’s first regional semifinal game, the ‘Horns (20-6) defeated Dodd City, 51-33. Gordon ended the first period with a 16-12 lead, then outscored the Hornets by 10 in the second frame to take a 32-18 lead to halftime. Gordon doubled Dodd City in the third, 10-5, to send them on their way to the win.

Gordon entered the game ranked eighth by Maxpreps and the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches while Dodd City was ranked ninth in the TABC poll. The Hornets ended their season with a 30-7 record.

The nightcap saw the consensus top-ranked Jackrabbits take down Huckabay, 49-35. Graford (33-4) has now peeled off 16-straight wins.

The game was tight through three periods, with the Jackrabbits clinging to a 31-29 advantage before the start of the final frame. But Graford took over from that point, outscoring the Indians, 18-6, to ease their way to the victory. Eight of Graford’s points in the fourth came at the free-throw line as Huckabay tried to foul its way back into the game late.

The Indians finish their season with a 25-12 mark. They entered the game ranked seventh in the TABC coaches poll.

The two Class 1A neighbors did not play each other this season. Graford went undefeated in District 21 while Gordon claimed the District 19 title during the regular season.

The teams last met in last year’s regional semifinal match, also played in Mansfield. Graford won that game, 61-37. Expect a different game today. Gordon last year started four freshmen against the defending champion Jackrabbits, and enter today’s game much more experienced and prepared to play at this level of the post-season.

Six other Class 1A teams will also try to play their way to San Antonio today. Brookeland and Fayetteville are playing in Austin to for the Region IV title. Texline and Jayton meet in Levelland in the Region I championship, while Benjamin and Eula will play for the Region II title.