Basketball: Second half dooms Seminole

LUBBOCK At halftime of the Region I-3A boys basketball championship game, it sure looked like Seminole might just have an even longer playoff run.

The Indians (22-13 overall) trailed by six, but the Lubbock Estacado Matadors literally ran away from the Indians in the second half to win 70-36 Saturday night at Texas Tech's United Spirit Arena.

Estacado (33-2) advanced to the UIL Class 3A State Basketball Championships, which is set to start Thursday at the Erwin Center in Austin.

After watching Estacado jump out to a 15-2 lead, Seminole got in gear and got within two points of the Matadors at 25-23 with 1:46 left in the half on a Scotty Flores basket.

Estacado got two baskets from Kevin Wagner before halftime to lead, 29-23, but it still looked like anyone's game.

"It was anybody's game at the half," Seminole head coach Paul Page said. "We were a couple of free throws and a couple of missed layups away from being up 10. We felt good coming in at halftime."

While Page was telling his team that, Estacado head coach Tony Wagner had a slightly different message for his team.

"I told them ‘Seniors, at this rate you had a great season and hopefully you enjoyed it, but you underachieved," coach Wagner said. "I told them I'd have a new team next year, but if you want things to change, you'd better come out and take this team more seriously.

"We came out and were overconfident. I think too many people were telling them that Seminole shouldn't be here. You don't play this long without being a quality team. Coach Page is one of the best coaches in West Texas and I knew he was going to have them fired-up and ready to go."

Seminole was still within striking distance with 3:23 left in the third quarter after a pair of Jarod Adams free throws made it 40-29. However, before Flores scored Seminole's next points on a Flores basket with 5:17 left, Estacado led 59-31 and the game was essentially over for all intents and purposes.

"They had gone full-court man on us in the first half and we were able to find some room," Page said. "They adjusted in the second half and went to a zone trap and that seemed to give us more trouble than what we were expecting."

Flores, an all-tournament selection, led Seminole with 12 points. He was the only Indians player to finish in double figures.

As for Estacado, Kevin Wagner led in scoring with 18 points while teammate tournament Most Valuable Player Jamar Johnson joined him in double figures with 16.

Adams and Marquise Marshall also made the all-tournament team, as did Wagner and Tavien Rosemond.

While Page was sad to see the season end, he was pleased with the year.

"It was a great ride," Page said. "That's what we told the kids. What just happened in the last three weeks is just the way to approach life. Anything can happen if you put your mind to it and nothing can hold you back. These last three weeks are a reflection of that."

Lubbock Estacado 70, Seminole 36

Region I-3A Championship

United Spirit Arena, Lubbock

LUBBOCK ESTACADO (33-2)

Kevin Wagner 9 0-0 18, Jamar Johnson 6 2-3 16, Barry Johnson 3 1-2 8, Clarence Willard 3 2-2 8, Tavien Rosemond 3 1-2 7, Duran Minjarez 2 0-0 5, D.J. Minjarez 1 0-0 3,Jamal Stewart 1 0-0 2, Demarcus Williams 1 0-0 2, Jourdain Irvin 0 1-2 1, Rayvin Davis 0 0-0 0, Ty Russell 0 0-0 0V Natreian Lewis 0 0-0 0, Eldon Gatewood 0 0-0 0. Totals 29 7-11-70.

SEMINOLE (22-13)

Scotty Flores 5 2-3 12, Jarod Adams 2 4-6 9, Marquise Marshall 2 0-2 4, Brian Lavender 2 0-0 4, D'Kota Dixon 1 0-0 2, Aaron Thompson 1 0-0 2, Steven Garza 0 2-3 2, Nicky Nave 0 1-2 1, Marquise Marshall 0 0-2 0, Tevyn Reed 0 0-0 0, Garrison Jones 0 0-0 0, Michael Navarro 0 0-0 0, Chago Gomez 0 0-0 0. Totals 13 9-13 36.

Lubbock Estacado.............. 18   11   23   18    -    70

Seminole............................ 11   12     6     7    -    36

3-Point goals - Lubbock Estacado 5 (J. Johnson 2, B. Johnson 1, D. Minjarez 1, D.J. Minjarez 1), Seminole 1 (Adams 1). Total fouls - Lubbock Estacado 18, Seminole 12. Fouled out - None. Technical fouls - None.