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David Whitworth (23) shoots for two during the Lions' Bi-District playoff game against Greenville PTAA Tuesday. Whitworth's 22 points were a teamhigh in the Lions' 6555 victory. Photo by DJ Spencer
Three players score double-digits
The Saltillo Lions earned a hard fought victory in their Bi-District playoff game against the Greenville PTAA Panthers at Sulphur Springs High School, winning 65-55. In a game where the Lions fell behind at halftime, the Lions stepped up their game in the second half, coming out on top.
The first quarter saw the Lions get on the board first when Colton Mc-Gill made a two-pointer, giving them a 2-0 lead. After the Panthers made a two-pointer, the Lions scored again when Heston Peeples scored on a pair of two-pointers, bringing the score to 6-2.
The Panthers would then respond with a pair of two-pointers of their own, tying the score at 6-6. After that, the Lions responded with a three-pointer by Colton McGill, a two-pointer by Eathan Reece, and a free throw by David Whitworth, pulling ahead 12-6.
From there, the Panthers responded with a free throw and a pair of three-pointers to close out the first quarter, pulling ahead 13-12.
The second quarter started off with a Panthers three-pointer. After that, Whitworth scored on a two-pointer and free throw, trimming the score to 16-15.
From there, the Panthers responded with a three-pointer, two-pointer, and a free throw, extending their lead to 2215. The Lions then scored on two-pointers by Peeples and Whitworth, trimming the score to 22-19.
The Panthers then added a two-pointer and free throw, making the score 25-19. A two-pointer by Colton McGill would cut the score to 25-21.
Soon after, the Panthers scored again with four free throws and a two-pointer, increasing their lead to 31-19. Following a two-pointer by Whitworth, another Panthers two-pointer brought the score to 33-21.
Whitworth then drilled a three-pointer to bring the score to 33-24. Following a Panthers three-pointer, the Lions answered with a two-pointer by Peeples, and a two-pointer and free throw by Whitworth, cutting the score to 36-31.
Soon after, the Panthers scored on another three-pointer before the second quarter ended, extending their lead to 39-31 going into halftime.
Coming out of the break, the Lions struck first in the third quarter when Tobin Potter sank a three-pointer, cutting the score to 39-34. After the Panthers made a two-pointer, the Lions answered with a three-pointer from Potter, a free throw and two-pointer by Colton McGill, and a free throw by Jonas Beadle, tying the score at 41-41.
After the Panthers pulled ahead again with a two-pointer, the Lions pulled ahead with a three-pointer by Potter and a two-pointer by Peeples, taking a 46 43 lead. The Panthers then made a pair of free throws to trim the score to 46-45.
Caden McGill then made a free throw, bringing the score to 4745. After the Panthers made a pair of free throws to tie the score, the Lions closed out the third quarter with a pair of free throws by Reece, and a two-pointer by Whitworth, reclaiming the lead at 51-47 as the third quarter expired.
The fourth quarter began with Whitworth scoring a two-pointer. From there, the Panthers would score on a free throw, two-pointer, and three-pointer, tying the score once again at 53-53.
From there, the Lions would go on a tear. Whitworth began the scoring run with a pair of two-pointers, giving the Lions a 57-53 lead. Colton McGill then made a two-pointer, bringing the score to 59-53.
Peeples then made a pair of two-pointers, increasing the Lions’ lead to 63-53. Though the Panthers would break up their scoreless streak with a two-pointer, the Lions closed out the game with a two-pointer by Colton McGill, finishing off a 6555 victory.
Whitworth was the Lions’ leading scorer with 22 points. Colton McGill and Peeples also scored in the double-digits, tallying 14 points each. Rounding out the scoring was Potter with nine, Reece with four, and Beadle and Caden McGill with one each.
With the win, the Lions improved to 21-16 on the season, and earned a Bi-District championship. They resumed action Friday, taking on the Graford Jackrabbits in the Area round of the playoffs at Gainesville High School.