In the early part of its season, the Odessa High boys basketball team has seen some consistently positive results.
That continued against Reagan County as the Bronchos defeated the Owls 82-64 in nondistrict play Tuesday at the OHS Fieldhouse.
Odessa High head coach Neal Welch started the game with a new lineup that featured some players who normally don’t get a lot of minutes off the bench.
The decision worked out for the head coach, with Jordan Bruner stepping up to give the Bronchos some important baskets.
“We knew this was a game where we wanted to give guys a chance to get some minutes because they’ve been working hard in practice,” Welch said. “I’m type of coach that if you’ve been working hard, I want to reward you.”
The Bronchos saw Reagan County use its speed to get off to a strong start, building up a 13-8 lead in the first quarter.
Kason Brown had some impactful plays for the Owls, including scoring a midrange jump shot to beat the first-quarter buzzer.
Brown had 20 points by the time the first half was over, with Reagan County owning a one-point lead over the Bronchos.
dessa High came out of the break and turned the game around with some help from its original starting group.
Ivan Carreon pulled in some tough rebounds and combined with Jaylen McCowan to give the Bronchos an advantage they wouldn’t give up for the rest of the contest.
The Bronchos outscored the Owls 30-6 in the third quarter, putting the game out of reach before the final period.
Welch said Carreon is a difference maker for the Bronchos because of the plays he can make on both ends of the floor.
“Not only does he block a lot of shots, he alters a lot of shots,” Welch said. “He does such a good job rebounding the ball, playing with a lot of energy and making a quick outlet pass to our guards as they’re getting up the court to go score.”
Bruner led the Bronchos with 20 points in the contest, followed by LJ Willis who had 15.
Odessa High (11-3 overall) continues nondistrict play against Monahans at 7:30 p.m. next Tuesday in Monahans.
>> Follow Chris Amaya on Twitter at @OA_CAmaya
Odessa High 82, Reagan County 64
Tuesday, OHS Fieldhouse
Reagan County (7-5)
Angel Flores 3 0-0 6, Angel Martinez 1 1-2 3, David Saucedo 0 0-0 0, Eduardo Encinas 1 1-4 3, Elijah Gonzalez 3 0-0 8, Jarrett Brown 3 2-2 9, Isaiah Martinez 0 0-0 0, Kason Brown 12 6-6 35, Seth Soto 0 0-0 0. Totals 23 10-14 64.
Odessa High (11-3)
Coco Rose 4 0-0 11, Caleb Ramirez 0 0-0 0, Adrian Muzquiz 1 0-0 2, Jaylen McCowan 3 0-0 6, Ivan Carreon 7 0-0 14, Austin Marquez 4 0-0 8, LJ Willis 7 1-2 15, Christian Contee 2 0-0 4, Jordan Bruner 10 0-0 20, Jonathan Garza 0 0-0 0, Richie Aguilar 0 0-0 0, Joshua Austin 1 0-0 2. Totals 39 1-2 82.
Reagan County……. 19.. 18 6 21 — 64
Odessa High……….. 16.. 20 30 16 — 82
3-Point goals — Odessa High 3 (Rose 3), Reagan County 8 (K. Brown 5, Gonzalez 2, J. Brown 1). Total fouls — Odessa High 14, Reagan County 6. Fouled out — None. Technical fouls — None.
