By Gene Schallenberg
NEW WAVERLY — It certainly didn’t take long to figure out if the Bulldogs would continue their lengthy district winning streak.
In the opening minutes of Tuesday’s game against Groveton, the Bulldogs hit shots and forced turnovers. Top-ranked New Waverly scored the game’s first 19 points and rolled from there.
By game’s end, the Dogs passed the century mark and won in a 107-23 rout to clinch a share of the District 21-2A title.
“We’re trying to keep the streak going,” said Dogs guard Tyren Watts, who scored 14 points and had two fancy alley-oop dunks. “We’re preparing for the playoffs. We’re not taking these games lightly, but at the same time we know what we’ve got to do. We’ve got to work on all the little things like ball handling, shooting and defense.”
As far as the defense goes, the Dogs were spot on.
The Indians scored just one point in the first quarter and didn’t hit their first field goal until there was a little more than three minutes left in the second quarter. That 3-pointer made it a 51-5 game.
The Bulldogs, who improved to 12-0 in District 21-2A and 25-3 overall, shared the wealth as nearly every player that suited up scored.
X’Zavious Harrison, who outscored Groveton by himself, led with 28 points and drilled four treys. Tyren Watts and Jonathan Reece scored 14 points apiece. Reserves Wes Wagner and Kolten Snoe added 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Cody James and Kyren Watts chipped in with eight points each. Josh Durriseau hit two 3-pointers and finished with seven points. Dillian Scott scored four points and Arthur Reece also had two points.
“We’ve got to work on a lot of passing and shooting, just the basic stuff,” New Waverly coach Bill Goffney said. “We’re working on the defense. You’ve got to find the positives in everything.”
The Bulldogs can clinch a third straight outright district championship with a win against Corrigan-Camden on Friday.
