Tiger second half proves difference in homecourt win over Henrietta

Reece Essler’s first half was one for the record books.

Henrietta’s junior guard had a 20-point, four rebound initial two quarters which enabled the visiting Bearcats to take a 29-22 lead. The second half was quite a different story, as Essler was held scoreless.

Jacksboro was able to take advantage and have a solid second half to post a 49-36 victory. After losing their first three games in District 7-3A, the Tigers picked up their first loop win Jan. 12.

Coach Aaron Bass used coach speak when asked what the difference was in his squad’s defense in the second half.

“We simply renewed our sense of urgency defensively,” Bass explained. “We understood the job we had to do and told the kids to go out and do it.”

The Tigers went on a 13-1 run in the third, Henrietta missing all 16 of its shots from the floor, including three from Essler. Rylan Chalmers’ bucket, which he made sitting on the floor, and baskets from Paul Shackelford and Jordan Yount to get within 30-29.

Yount then began to finish the job with a pair of back-to-back buckets to give the Tigers a 33-30 lead. The Tigers were 6-15 shooting from the field in the third quarter, including a Josh Pierce buzzer beater which extended the lead to 35-30 heading into the fourth.

Jacksboro kept the foot on the gas into the fourth with another Pierce bucket and a nifty Daylan Valles left-handed banker helping to extend the lead into double figures. Valles and Chalmers closed out a 4-6 shooting frame.

Yount was a 4-4 free throw shooter in the final quarter. Baron Brown had both Bearcat buckets but it was too little too late. Henrietta was 2-22 shooting in the final frame.

The first half was a battle with the teams trading buckets, Henrietta using outside shooting from Owen Nichols and Charlie Schell to take a three-point lead in the first 90 seconds of the second. The ‘Cats looked to pull away, leading by seven but Chalmers kept it close for a spell but Henrietta wound up taking a 29-22 lead into the half.

Yount had 18 and Chalmers 15 to lead Jacksboro. Essler had 20 to lead the ‘Cats.