HS Boys Basketball: Recap for the Week of 2/12

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- The long-awaited final week of the boy's basketball season arrived, with squads finalizing their positions for the upcoming playoffs. The top three teams have held their spots for a couple of weeks before the season finale, but a battle for the fourth and final spot in the playoffs necessitated a rare play-in situation to determine who would claim it. Here are the season's final games and the final scores for each.

2/14 Conroe vs. Grand Oaks

The slow and unfortunate decline of Conroe’s season ended at the hands of the Grand Oaks Grizzlies.

The once hopeful playoff squad dropped their third straight to a team poised to take positive momentum into the postseason. Quarter-by-quarter statistics are not available, but the Grizzlies were able to walk away with a 75-68 win over the Tigers. Grand Oaks’ win positions the team as the third-place squad in the district standings ahead of their Bi-District matchup against Aldine Davis.

2/14 The Woodlands vs. Caney Creek

Caney Creek entered their road game against the Highlanders hoping to knock The Woodlands out of playoff contention in one decisive victory.

Highlander Coach Dale Reed and his squad were prepared for the all-out effort from the Panthers and handled business when they needed to. An impressive 36-21 first half gave The Woodlands enough cushion to comfortably work out the rest of the clock and exit with a 59-51 win. The continuous tight-rope act from the Highlanders continues, with a play-in matchup needed should the Eagles win their matchup against Cleveland.

2/14 Oak Ridge vs. College Park

The already crowned district champion Cavaliers ended their season with a road trip to visit the War Eagles.

Despite a spirited fight from Oak Ridge that briefly took the lead during the second quarter, the overwhelming power of College Park dominated throughout the game. Steady shooting from Ian Inman and an awe-inspiring rebounding performance from Martez James propelled the Cavs to an easy 90-56 victory.

College Park’s win fuels the team for a date against Dekaney in the first round of the playoffs on Tuesday.

2/14 New Caney vs. Cleveland

To extend their season and force a winner-take-all matchup against the Highlanders, the Eagles needed to take care of business against Cleveland at home.

A 17-2 first quarter demonstrated New Caney’s resolve throughout the affair, dominating both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. The oppressive effort from the Eagles continued for all four quarters, which never allowed the Indians to score double-digit points. The final buzzer sounded with New Caney claiming a 53-22 win.

New Caney’s win kept the team tied with The Woodlands, forcing a final, neutral site game to take place to determine who would advance to the playoffs and who would end their season in bitter defeat.

2/16 New Caney vs. The Woodlands

Grand Oaks High School hosted the final regular season game of the year, with the Highlanders and Eagles set to duke it out over who would enter the postseason.

The defenses dictated the flow of the game from the opening tip. A 7-5 opening quarter benefited the Highlanders and their slow pace that grinds their opponents. New Caney started to come alive during the second and third quarters, with their inside game asserting itself as the driving offensive force. But with their backs against the wall, The Woodlands clamped down on defense and allowed just two points during the final eight minutes. With New Caney in check, the Highlanders accelerated their offense to secure a 46-34 victory to clinch the playoffs.