Midland Legacy kept its playoff hopes alive with a 60-55 win over Odessa High Tuesday night in District 2-6A action at OHS Fieldhouse.
Coming off a one-point victory over rivals Midland High, the Rebels (13-14 overall, 3-3 in district) remained in the top four of the 2-6A standings as the playoff race continues to heat up with the second half of district play now underway.
“I wished we had played better,” Legacy head coach Chris Suttle said. “I’m not a 100 percent proud of that but a win in our district is a win, especially on the road. We talked about how hard this game would be. We talked about how good of a coach Lewis is and how their backs were to the wall and in need of a win. They needed a win and they did everything we said they were going to do. They played us hard for four quarters. We didn’t play our best but we were fortunate to get the win.”
An intense second half saw the Bronchos erase a ten-point halftime deficit.
However, the Rebels did just enough to avoid the upset and remain in the hunt for the state playoffs.
Odessa High (7-22, 0-6) is still searching for its first district win of the season.
“We switched up from our 2-3 and tried to pressure the ball a little bit more and box out,” Odessa High head coach Jermil Lewis said. “We were able to get loose balls under the rim. That got us some transition baskets and that’s when we play our best.”
Legacy was led in scoring by Max Vera’s 14 points while Jordan Williams and Cutter Clark each had 11.
Odessa High was led in scoring by Jtorian Deary-Johnson’s 18 points while Naledge Jenkins had 15.
Both teams kept it close in the first quarter.
Consecutive free throws by Vera gave the Rebels a 9-5 lead with four minutes to go.
Legacy’s lead was 15-11 at the end of the quarter.
Deary-Johnson began the second quarter by sinking consecutive free throws to make it a two-point game.
However, Legacy responded with an inside shot by Cutter Clark who was fouled on the play. He completed the three-point play after making the ensuing free throw.
Legacy continued to benefit from Odessa High fouls as Vera’s three-point play gave his team 25-15 lead with 5:06 left in the first half.
The Bronchos found themselves facing a 12-point deficit with 3:27 on the clock.
A basket by Legacy’s Colin Brazzell made it 31-18 with 2:01 remaining.
Odessa High made it a ten-point game after Deary-Johnson’s 3-pointer late in the half.
The Rebels ended the first half with a 34-24 lead.
“In the second quarter, we knew if we could get some stops, we could take advantage of the numbers game and use our size to our advantage,” Suttle said. “Our kids did that. I liked how we finished the half.”
The Bronchos managed to close the gap on the Rebels in the third quarter as Legacy’s lead heading into the fourth was only 43-37.
A 3-pointer by Rios made it a five-point deficit with 6:54 remaining in the game.
Odessa High cut it to a 49-45 deficit soon after.
A free throw and a layup by Vera gave the Rebels a 52-45 lead with under five minutes to go.
However, the Bronchos didn’t go away as the score was only 56-51 with 2:24 remaining.
Free throws by Deary-Johnson with 13 left seconds brought the Bronchos to a 58-55 deficit.
After picking up a foul, Legacy’s Tommy Johnson was sent to the line where he made both shots to make it 60-55 and the Rebels escaped with the win.
