‘Horns next face Jayton in Top 3 area match
By DAVID MAY | Special to Mineral Wells Area News
The Gordon Longhorns are headed to the Texas UIL basketball area round after blowing past Hermleigh, 92-42, on Monday in Abilene.
The ‘Horns will now go from Cardinals to Jaybirds, facing Jayton on Friday night in the area round.
The game is a matchup of teams in the top 3 Class 1A Texas Association of Basketball Coaches rankings. No. 1 Jayton (18-2) advanced Monday after knocking off Knox City, 88-34.
Gordon (21-3) is ranked No. 3 in the TABC state hoops rankings.
The teams did not face each other in the regular season. The teams had one common opponent – Liberty – with both losing to the Patriots from Lubbock. Jayton fell to Liberty, 60-56, while Gordon lost to the Patriots, 52-47. The games were played five days apart.
Jayton and Gordon did not play each other last season, but it was close. Jayton is the Class 1A defending state champion after defeating Benjamin in last year’s state finals. Benjamin knocked out Gordon in the state semifinal game.
Gordon is making a return trip to Abilene Wylie ISD’s gym for Friday’s game, which has a 6 p.m. start. The ‘Horns are the home team. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for students. Seniors can show their ID for free admission.