Neches vs. Midway - Class A-Region III Division II semifinals.
End Game
Neches wins the regional semifinal game 72-19 over Midway. Roddricka Patton led Neches with 15 points and 11 steals and Raven McFarland had 13 points and nine rebounds. Check out the Herald-Press home page for a complete story.
Fourth Quarter
Midway scores its first points of the second half with three minutes left to play in the game. Neches leads 64-14.
End 3rd Quarter
Neches threw a shutout in the third quarter, not allowing a point to Midway. The Lady Tigers scored 19 answered in the third quarter and leads 58-14. Neches will play the winner of Slidell and Kennard, who play after this game, in the regional finals Saturday at 5:30 p.m. back in SFA.
Neches knows all about Kennard as both teams are in the same district. Neches beat Kennard (23-7) in both district games. Slidell (21-8) was the District 17-A champion - the same district as Midway.
3rd Quarter
3:26 - Four straight points by Kelcie Kinder, who say out most of the first half in foul trouble and Neches leads 52-14. Midway has not scored in this quarter as Neches is on a 13-0 run.
3rd Quarter - Roddricka Patton has started the third quarter with five straight points on a three pointer and then a steal and layup. Neches leads 46-14.
Halftime
Neches has dominated the first half of the regional semifinal game for a 39-14 lead over Midway. It has been all about the Lady Tiger pressure defense. Neches has 18 steals - Roddricka Patton has 11 of them - and forced 24 turnovers. Neches used a 16-2 run in the first quarter, including scoring 12 unanswered points and then had a 17-0 run in the second quarter to take complete control of the game.
2nd Quarter
1:34 - Neches finished off a 17-0 run and leads 37-14 and now are working ball around, trying to run some clock.
2nd Quarter
2:46 - Neches is in the midst of a 14-0 run for a 34-12 lead after another steal and basket by Roddricka Patton. Neches has 17 steals and has forced 23 turnovers.
2nd Quarter
401 - Neches increases its lead to 30-12 after a tip in by Kiandra Taylor. After Midway scored the first two points of the game, Neches has scored the last 10 points.
2nd Quarter
6:05 - Neches leads 26-12 as Midway uses its third timeout of the game as head coach Shane Coker tries to calm his team down. If the Lady Falcons do not get it turned around against Neches' pressure, this could be a long morning for Midway.
2nd Quarter
6:56 - Neches' Raven McFarland steal turns into basket by Cheyenne Haskins and Neches leads 24-12.
End 1st Quarter
Neches leads 20-10 after the first quarter. After a slow start with Midway leading 6-2, Neches has used their pressure defense to take control of this game. Neches went on a 16-2 run, scoring 12 unanswered points. The Lady Tigers already have 10 steals - six by Roddricka Patton - and have forced 13 Midway turnovers. Kristen Green leads Neches with eight points and Dianna Patton and Raven McFarland each have four points.
1st Quarter
1:20 - Dianna Patton gets a defensive rebound and goes length of floor for the layups and Neches has built an 18-8 lead. The Lady Tigers in the middle of 16-2 run.
1st Quarter
3:05 - Neches completes a 12-0 run as the Lady Tigers get three straight steals for easy baskets and have a 14-8 lead.
1st Quarter
3:53 - Another steal by Neches, this time by Dianna Patton who converts for a layup and Neches lead 10-6. Lady Tigers on a 6-0 run and Midway struggling against Neches' press. The Lady Falcons just called their second timeout of the game as they try to solve this Neches defense.
1st Quarter
4:43 - Two steals by Neches results in two baskets by Kristen Green to tie game at 6-6. Midway already has six turnovers.
1st Quarter
5:31 - Midway takes an early 6-2 lead as Neches Kelcie Kinder picks up two quick fouls. Neches using its press effectively but the Lady Tigers have started cold from the floor, hitting only one shot on a breakaway layup by Roddricka Patton.
PREGAME
Game starts in nearly 30 minutes. Neches comes into the game with a 33-2 record and ranked No. 1 in the TABC poll for the whole season. The Lady Tigers defeated Savoy 59-36 in the area round and defeated Saltillo, the No. 4 team in the state, 51-35 in the regional quarterfinals.
Midway comes into the semifinal game with a record of 21-11. The Lady Falcons defeated Dallas Peak Prep 60-5 in the bi-district round, Aquilla 45-42 in the area round and Coolidge 50-48 in the quarterfinals.
Keep it right here to get all the live updates of this semifinal game.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Slocum looks good in playoff debut
The Slocum Mustangs looked really sharp in their playoff debut Thursday night against Roxton in Tyler.
The Mustangs defeated Roxton 63-46 and it could have been much worse than that. Slocum had as much as a 37-point lead in the third quarter before going to the bench in the fourth quarter where many of the Mustang junior varsity players got their first taste of playoff experience.
The Slocum starters dominated on both sides of the court for the first three quarters. Not sure which was more impressive, the way they ran the offense flawlessly or the way they played defense, holding Roxton to 22 points in the first three quarters.
I have not seen Slocum since early in the season and I liked how they can spread out the offense production. Last year much of the offense went through Jared Lane, and that is how it should be with how good of a scorer he was. But this year, it is impressive to watch how Slocum has transitioned from relying on Lane to having several players who have the ability to score.
On defense, it was impressive to see how the Mustangs handled Roxton's leading scorer Alex Stephenson, who was held scoreless for the first three quarters and only had eight points for the game. Slocum swarmed Stephenson most of the night with double teams and traps and their tam defense was so good that they never seemed to leave a man open even when putting two players going at Stephenson.
If they continue to play like they did Thursday night, the Mustangs are strong contenders to defend their state title.
The Mustangs defeated Roxton 63-46 and it could have been much worse than that. Slocum had as much as a 37-point lead in the third quarter before going to the bench in the fourth quarter where many of the Mustang junior varsity players got their first taste of playoff experience.
The Slocum starters dominated on both sides of the court for the first three quarters. Not sure which was more impressive, the way they ran the offense flawlessly or the way they played defense, holding Roxton to 22 points in the first three quarters.
I have not seen Slocum since early in the season and I liked how they can spread out the offense production. Last year much of the offense went through Jared Lane, and that is how it should be with how good of a scorer he was. But this year, it is impressive to watch how Slocum has transitioned from relying on Lane to having several players who have the ability to score.
On defense, it was impressive to see how the Mustangs handled Roxton's leading scorer Alex Stephenson, who was held scoreless for the first three quarters and only had eight points for the game. Slocum swarmed Stephenson most of the night with double teams and traps and their tam defense was so good that they never seemed to leave a man open even when putting two players going at Stephenson.
If they continue to play like they did Thursday night, the Mustangs are strong contenders to defend their state title.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Cayuga's 100-point pileup
There has been a lot of talk and attention on Cayuga's 100-point game streak, which has reached 10 games. The Wildcats broke the state record, which was six games, and his four games from tying the national record, which is 14 games.
I talked to Cayuga's head coach Greg Jenkins Wednesday and part of our discussion was on this streak and record. And after talking to him, it was obvious that he really does not feel too comfortable with the streak.
"When it first started, we did not want anything to do with it," Jenkins told me. "When it got to game four or five, we were tying to keep it under wraps because we did not want it to get out."
It is understandable that Jenkins does not want to have the streak on the Wildcats' backs with the playoffs starting next week. The goal for Cayuga is to win a state tournament. The Wildcats have made it to the regional tournament three straight years, but came up short each of those times. For the seniors, they know it is their last chance and the focus has to be on getting back SFA finally. And the last thing Jenkins wants as any kind of distraction, which this streak is.
The Wildcats have seemed to handle the distraction well during the regular season but what is going to happen in the playoffs. As Jenkins put it, "I am worried what is going to happen when we don't score 100 points. How are our fans and players going to handle that?"
Maybe the best thing for Cayuga would be not to score 100 points in one of the next two warm up games against Clarksville or Bloomburg. Then once the playoffs starts, there will be no distractions, just one goal in mind — to win a state title.
I talked to Cayuga's head coach Greg Jenkins Wednesday and part of our discussion was on this streak and record. And after talking to him, it was obvious that he really does not feel too comfortable with the streak.
"When it first started, we did not want anything to do with it," Jenkins told me. "When it got to game four or five, we were tying to keep it under wraps because we did not want it to get out."
It is understandable that Jenkins does not want to have the streak on the Wildcats' backs with the playoffs starting next week. The goal for Cayuga is to win a state tournament. The Wildcats have made it to the regional tournament three straight years, but came up short each of those times. For the seniors, they know it is their last chance and the focus has to be on getting back SFA finally. And the last thing Jenkins wants as any kind of distraction, which this streak is.
The Wildcats have seemed to handle the distraction well during the regular season but what is going to happen in the playoffs. As Jenkins put it, "I am worried what is going to happen when we don't score 100 points. How are our fans and players going to handle that?"
Maybe the best thing for Cayuga would be not to score 100 points in one of the next two warm up games against Clarksville or Bloomburg. Then once the playoffs starts, there will be no distractions, just one goal in mind — to win a state title.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Cayuga defense plays big against Ganado
The Cayuga defense was a big part of the 41-19 win over Ganado Saturday night in the Class A, Division II semifinals.
The Wildcats stopped Ganado on all four fourth-down attempts, with two of those coming when the Indians were inside Cayuga's 30-yard line.
- The first stop came on the opening drive when Ganado moved the ball to the Cayuga 29-yard line for a third and one. The Wildcats stopped a run for no gain setting up fourth and one. Ganado tried to pass for the first time, using play action, but Cayuga was there on defense as Maclome Kennedy tipped away the pass into the hands of Deon Hale for the interception.
- In the second quarter, Ganado moved the ball just inside the 50-yard line with over a minute left, facing a fourth and six. On another pass play, Ganado quarterback Donovan Foster rolled to the right but his pass feel incomplete because of the coverage by Kennedy. It was a critical stop because it halted extra momentum Ganado could have had going into the lockerroom.
- The next fourth-down stop came after Ganado intercepted a Cayuga pass on the first possession of the second half, trailing 20-7. The interception gave the Indians the ball on Cayuga's 3-yard line and the Indians moved it to the 20-yard line for a fourth and five. Ganado tried a trick play with a toss going to Josh Labay, who stepped back looking to throw. But Cayuga had the play well covered in the secondary and all Labay could do was try to run for the first down, but he only picked up 2 yards. What looked like a golden opportunity for Ganado to get within a score turned into a big time stop and Cayuga scored on their next possession.
- The final fourth down stop came in the fourth quarter when the Indians were desperate, down 34-13 with six minutes to play. After the defense had two sacks to put Ganado in a fourth and 18 from its own 29-yard line, Foster rolled to his right and was able to avoid a pair of defenders who were looking for a sack. Foster had a chance to find a receiver for the first down, but the pass was knocked away from behind by Kennedy. Cayuga scored in four plays to put the game away.
The Wildcats stopped Ganado on all four fourth-down attempts, with two of those coming when the Indians were inside Cayuga's 30-yard line.
- The first stop came on the opening drive when Ganado moved the ball to the Cayuga 29-yard line for a third and one. The Wildcats stopped a run for no gain setting up fourth and one. Ganado tried to pass for the first time, using play action, but Cayuga was there on defense as Maclome Kennedy tipped away the pass into the hands of Deon Hale for the interception.
- In the second quarter, Ganado moved the ball just inside the 50-yard line with over a minute left, facing a fourth and six. On another pass play, Ganado quarterback Donovan Foster rolled to the right but his pass feel incomplete because of the coverage by Kennedy. It was a critical stop because it halted extra momentum Ganado could have had going into the lockerroom.
- The next fourth-down stop came after Ganado intercepted a Cayuga pass on the first possession of the second half, trailing 20-7. The interception gave the Indians the ball on Cayuga's 3-yard line and the Indians moved it to the 20-yard line for a fourth and five. Ganado tried a trick play with a toss going to Josh Labay, who stepped back looking to throw. But Cayuga had the play well covered in the secondary and all Labay could do was try to run for the first down, but he only picked up 2 yards. What looked like a golden opportunity for Ganado to get within a score turned into a big time stop and Cayuga scored on their next possession.
- The final fourth down stop came in the fourth quarter when the Indians were desperate, down 34-13 with six minutes to play. After the defense had two sacks to put Ganado in a fourth and 18 from its own 29-yard line, Foster rolled to his right and was able to avoid a pair of defenders who were looking for a sack. Foster had a chance to find a receiver for the first down, but the pass was knocked away from behind by Kennedy. Cayuga scored in four plays to put the game away.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Traylon Shead to play in U.S. Army All-American Bowl
What a way to end your high school career — playing with the best of the best around the country.
That is what Cayuga's Traylon Shead gets to do as he accepted the invitation to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Tuesday. The game will be in San Antonio on January 9.
When you look at the names of past players, it is quite an impressive list — Vince Young, Ted Ginn, Jr., Reggie Bush, Marcus Spears, Desean Jackson and of course Palestine's own Adrian Peterson.
This is another interesting link between Shead and Peterson. Over the last couple of years there have been lots of comparisons between the two — both Anderson County products, both coached by Tommy Allison and now both having played in one of the top high school games in the country.
Sportlink, who produces the game, put on a nice presentation Tuesday morning at Cayuga High School. In front of the high school student body, Shead was offered the final invitation to the game, which of course he accepted.
That is what Cayuga's Traylon Shead gets to do as he accepted the invitation to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Tuesday. The game will be in San Antonio on January 9.
When you look at the names of past players, it is quite an impressive list — Vince Young, Ted Ginn, Jr., Reggie Bush, Marcus Spears, Desean Jackson and of course Palestine's own Adrian Peterson.
This is another interesting link between Shead and Peterson. Over the last couple of years there have been lots of comparisons between the two — both Anderson County products, both coached by Tommy Allison and now both having played in one of the top high school games in the country.
Sportlink, who produces the game, put on a nice presentation Tuesday morning at Cayuga High School. In front of the high school student body, Shead was offered the final invitation to the game, which of course he accepted.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Cayuga playoff game
Cayuga vs. Mart starting in 40 min. Cold as h
game time nears with temps in the high 30s
game time nears with temps in the high 30s
Friday, October 23, 2009
My week in Cayuga
What does it take for a team to get ready for a game Friday night?
That is the question I went in search of this season when I spent a week watching Cayuga prepare for its game against Overton. The story has been published in Sunday’s edition of the Herald-Press and has been posted on our web site, along with numerous pictures.
We all know football teams practice during the week to get ready for a game. But there is much more than practice and that is what I wanted to show our readers.
I first had this story idea about six years ago, but the timing never worked out until this year when Cayuga head coach Tommy Allison opened the doors to the Cayuga Wildcat football program.
From the hours spent by the coaches over the weekend coming up with a game plan to practices during the week and even pregame speeches just minutes before the start of the game, I got an inside view that most don’t even realize goes on.
First I want to thank coach Allison for granting me the unlimited access to his team. I also want to thank the Wildcat coaches and players for welcoming me that week.
Through my years of covering high school football, I have seen bits and pieces of what a team goes through to get ready for a Friday night. But this was the first time I have seen it come together and even I was amazed by what I witnessed.
• The number of hours the coaches put in. During the football season, coaches work seven days a week. They work half the day on Saturday and Sunday and even more during the week. From Monday to Wednesday, they are at the school until at least 8 p.m. Thursday can be a very late night, especially if there is freshman and junior varsity games on the road.
• I have been to my share of practices but never saw how each practice builds off the one before. It starts Monday with the players working on their specific positions and then just builds from there, one level at a time.
• The amount of information players have to absorb each week. While most of the schemes, formations and plays that Cayuga runs were installed in the offseason and two-a-day practices, each week things get altered for that week’s opponents. In three days, the players have to understand all the changes that are made and execute them and then that will all change the following week.
• How different pregame is when I was not on the field. Maybe the strangest thing for me during that week was pregame and halftime. I am used to hearing the bands play, watching the crowd fill up the stands — the whole atmosphere of a Friday night game. But being in the lockeroom before the game and at halftime, it was like none of it existed. At halftime, it was like the game never stopped as I listened to the coaches talk about what adjustments to make and talk to the team about how the first half went. Funny thing is that football coaches have a hard time adjusting to this when they are spectators at games. The next week, the Cayuga coaches were at Carlisle, being spectators at a game, and at halftime, they looked lost, not sure what to do for those 30 minutes that football was not going on.
The week I spent covering Cayuga was a great experience. I learned so much more than I thought I would and I hope that knowledge has been passed on to the readers through the story and photos.
That is the question I went in search of this season when I spent a week watching Cayuga prepare for its game against Overton. The story has been published in Sunday’s edition of the Herald-Press and has been posted on our web site, along with numerous pictures.
We all know football teams practice during the week to get ready for a game. But there is much more than practice and that is what I wanted to show our readers.
I first had this story idea about six years ago, but the timing never worked out until this year when Cayuga head coach Tommy Allison opened the doors to the Cayuga Wildcat football program.
From the hours spent by the coaches over the weekend coming up with a game plan to practices during the week and even pregame speeches just minutes before the start of the game, I got an inside view that most don’t even realize goes on.
First I want to thank coach Allison for granting me the unlimited access to his team. I also want to thank the Wildcat coaches and players for welcoming me that week.
Through my years of covering high school football, I have seen bits and pieces of what a team goes through to get ready for a Friday night. But this was the first time I have seen it come together and even I was amazed by what I witnessed.
• The number of hours the coaches put in. During the football season, coaches work seven days a week. They work half the day on Saturday and Sunday and even more during the week. From Monday to Wednesday, they are at the school until at least 8 p.m. Thursday can be a very late night, especially if there is freshman and junior varsity games on the road.
• I have been to my share of practices but never saw how each practice builds off the one before. It starts Monday with the players working on their specific positions and then just builds from there, one level at a time.
• The amount of information players have to absorb each week. While most of the schemes, formations and plays that Cayuga runs were installed in the offseason and two-a-day practices, each week things get altered for that week’s opponents. In three days, the players have to understand all the changes that are made and execute them and then that will all change the following week.
• How different pregame is when I was not on the field. Maybe the strangest thing for me during that week was pregame and halftime. I am used to hearing the bands play, watching the crowd fill up the stands — the whole atmosphere of a Friday night game. But being in the lockeroom before the game and at halftime, it was like none of it existed. At halftime, it was like the game never stopped as I listened to the coaches talk about what adjustments to make and talk to the team about how the first half went. Funny thing is that football coaches have a hard time adjusting to this when they are spectators at games. The next week, the Cayuga coaches were at Carlisle, being spectators at a game, and at halftime, they looked lost, not sure what to do for those 30 minutes that football was not going on.
The week I spent covering Cayuga was a great experience. I learned so much more than I thought I would and I hope that knowledge has been passed on to the readers through the story and photos.
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