HS Boys Basketball: The Woodlands Gets Statement Win Against Grand Oaks

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- The Grand Oaks Grizzlies traveled to The Woodlands high school Tuesday night to take on the Highlanders in their third district matchup of the season. Both teams are coming off wins in the previous games and go into the match with a 2-0 record.

With such a close game with New Caney last week, The Woodlands came into the game with a different mindset as well as different plan.

“Coach Jones does a great job running our defense and he made a couple of adjustments that really helped us,” The Woodlands head Coach Dale Reed said, “anytime you talk about defense, you’re going to talk about effort and our guys had outstanding effort.”

The Woodlands would dominate on defense especially in the paint preventing Grand Oaks from driving through the lane to the basket. The Grizzlies also struggled on the short shot as The Woodlands defense would put pressure on them forcing many turnovers.

Although The Woodlands would have a great defensive game, Grand Oaks would also lock down the defense on the other side of the court. This resulted in a close game at halftime with The Woodlands only holding the lead by one point, 23-22.

In the second half, The Woodlands would once again tighten up their defense and force many turnovers in the third quarter. “That third quarter, outscoring them [Grand Oaks] 17 to 3, was obviously the difference,” said coach Reed.

The Woodlands would stretch their lead going into the fourth quarter 40-25 as Grand Oaks would struggle to make any baskets.

In the final quarter, Grand Oaks would put the jets on and try to chip away at The Woodlands lead. In a combined effort, they would rack up 17 points but it wasn’t enough to end The Woodlands district winning streak. Grand Oaks would essentially fall to The Woodlands, 57-42.

The Woodlands is on the road next week to face the district newcomers, Cleveland. “Friday at Cleveland is a different world,” said Coach Reed, “Anytime you can win on the road in our district, it’s going to be really good.”