Gruver’s Jalin Conyers (0) high-five’s teammate Hunter Haynes after a basket during the Greyhounds 64-46 win against Clarendon in a Class 2A regional quarterfinal Tuesday in Pampa. [Ben Jenkins/ Press Pass Sports]
Second half propels Greyhounds past Broncos
In one of the highly anticipated matchups Tuesday night, Gruver used a tremendous third quarter from Oklahoma football commit Jalin Conyers that lifted the Greyhounds past Clarendon, 64-46, during a Class 2A regional quarterfinal at a near capacity McNeely Fieldhouse in Pampa.
Clarendon led 29-25 at halftime thanks solid shooting from its guards.
However, Conyers took over in the early stages of the third quarter starting an 11-2 run, scoring eight points during that stretch. Gruver was able to build a 49-38 lead after three, outscoring the Broncos, 24-9 in those eight minutes.
Conyers scored 12 of his game-high 26 points in the third, and dominated the glass with 21 rebounds.
Gruver (29-5) has won nine of its last 10 playoff games dating back to last season, and will make its second straight trip to the Region I-2A Tournament, where the Greyhounds will face Wink (21-9) at 8 p.m. Friday night in Levelland.
Clarendon, the District 2-2A champions, were led by Collin Butler’s 16 points in the loss. The Broncos end a tremendous year at 25-8.
Snapping streaks
Both Pampa and Vega snapped lengthy absences to its respective regional tournaments Tuesday night.
The Harvesters (31-5) stayed red hot, flat out whipping Andrews 66-40 in a Class 4A regional quarterfinal in Dimmitt. It’s Pampa’s first trip to the Region I-4A Tournament since 2011. Harvester senior Chase Landers led all scorers with 21 points.
Not to be outdone, Vega used a career performance from senior Carson Kirkland to stave off Floydada 81-68 in a Class 2A regional quarterfinal at the First United Bank Center. Kirkland couldn’t be stopped, going for a career-high 37 points.
Vega (28-5) is headed to the Region 1-2A Tournament in Levelland for the first time since 2012.
Tuesday’s top performers
Despite seeing a special season end, Amarillo High’s Brendan Hausen poured in 21 points during a Class 5A regional quarterfinal loss to Wichita Falls Rider. The Sandies, who were the District 3-5A champions at 16-0, finish a great year at 28-9.
Conyers isn’t the only one putting up numbers for Gruver. In three playoff wins, senior guard Carter Armes is averaging 14.6 points and 9.6 assists per contest.
Noel Lozano made a layup with 15 seconds left to break a tie game and help Texline to the Region I-1A Tournament during a thrilling 54-50 victory against Valley on Monday. Lozano scored a team-high 17 points on the night.
Kaden Cleavinger and Nathaneal Van Dijk combined for 28 points during Nazareth’s 46-28 victory against Booker. Cleavinger put up 15, followed by Van Dijk’s 13. The Swifts are headed back to the Region I-1A Tournament for a fourth straight year.
Boys scoreboard
CLASS 5A
WF Rider 13 20 37 53
Amarillo High 8 20 28 42
WFR— Darcus 18, Sager 10. AHS— Hausen 21, Dees 6. Records: Rider 32-4; AHS 28-9.
CLASS 4A
Pampa 19 35 54 66
Andrews 12 21 31 40
P–– Chase Landers 21, Jayden Buckley 13, Andrew Stevens 13. Records: Pampa 31-5; Andrews 19-12.
CLASS 3A
Canadian 11 22 37 54
Shallowater 17 39 58 72
C— McCook 20, Cochran 13. S— Brattain 16, Eaker 15, Elliott 11. Records: Canadian 16-3; Shallowater 31-4.
Peaster 73, Childress 37
CLASS 2A
Clarendon 13 29 38 46
Gruver 14 25 49 64
C— Collin Butler 16 Lamarcus Penigar 10.
G— Jalin Conyers 26, Bo Butler 13, Hunter Hayes 10. Records: Clarendon 25-8; Gruver 29-5.
Floydada 18 36 50 68
Vega 21 44 69 81
F–– Hobbs 20, Gonzales 14, Perez 12. V–– Kirkland 37, Schroeder 18, Grawunder 18. Records: Vega 28-5; Floydada 27-7.
CLASS 1A
Texline 14 30 39 54
Valley 12 28 40 50
T— Noel Lozano 17, Willy Luther 15. V— Parker Carson 19, Cody Crump 13. Records: Texline 26-6; Valley 18-5.
Nazareth 16 26 30 46
Booker 7 11 21 28
N–– Kaden Cleavinger 15, Nathaniel Van Dijk 13, Aidan Moore 12. B–– Israel Banuelos 17. Records: Nazareth 26-8; Booker 17-13.
Region I scores
Class 6A
Arlington Bowie 65, Frenship 55
Duncanville 66, Grand Prairie 65, (OT)
Odessa Permian 44, Arlington Martin 43
Richardson 79, Waxahachie 58
Class 5A
WF Rider 53, Amarillo High 42
Mansfield Timberview 41, Mansfield Legacy 40, (OT)
El Paso Eastwood 51, El Paso Andress 41
Burleson Centennial 75, Arlington Seguin 67
Class 4A
Pampa 66, Andrews 40
WF Hirschi 40, Decatur 36
Clint 60, Levelland 47
Argyle 45, Krum 35
Class 3A
Abernathy 72, Littlefield 42
Peaster 73, Childress 37
Shallowater 72, Canadian 54
Brock 56, City View 51
Class 2A
Vega 81, Floydada 68
Sundown 57, Christoval 41
Gruver 64, Clarendon 46
Wink 55, Tahoka 51
Class 1A
Texline 54, Valley 50
New Home 42, Borden County 27
Nazareth 46, Booker 28
O’Donnell 69, Klondike 50