Graford escapes Paradise

GRAFORD – It takes time to buy into a new coach’s philosophy, especially when one was legend Ty Tabor.

Graford Boys Coach Jeff Bell knows a few things about legend, having won a few state titles, 860 games and being a member of the Texas Boys Coaches Association Hall of Fame during his career. Still, Bell knows he has to earn his keep in his firstyear at the helm of the Rabbits and is doing his best to do so.

“They’re starting to buy into what I want,” Bell said following a 63-52 win over Class 3A Paradise Saturday. "I’m liking the effort and our energy level was way high today.”

The Rabbits (8-1) shot nearly 50 percent from the field and 78 percent from the free throw line in pulling away from a game Panther team (4-7) in the second half. Using four free throws and three buckets from Marc Matthews in the second quarter, the Rabbits wereable to retake the lead, 31-28, at the half.

Graford opened the third on a 13-0 streak to effectively put away the visitors. Matthews had three buckets during the string but got help from Cody Lemley, Dustin Matthews and Levi Butler’s bomb from downtown. In having its best shooting quarter of the contest, the Rabbits outscored Paradise 22-7 to take a 53-35 lead into the fourth.

Graford took just four shots in the final stanza, which was paced by Teagan Ford going 6-6 at the stripe to ward off Paradise’s best shooting frame. It was a little too late for a comeback, however.

Paradise let senior post Clint Dimmett dominate things in the first half, scoring the last four buckets of the first half after the last four free throws of the first quarter to keep Paradise in the game. He would lead the Panthers with 26 points.

Marc Matthews led Graford with 21 points while Dustin Matthews added 13 for the Rabbits.