02-23-2013-Weekend - Wise County Messenger

2B WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas, Saturday, February 23, 2013BASKETBALLChico snaps 15 year droughtJOE DUTY/WCMESSENGERALL SMILES — The Chico Dragons celebrate their first playoff win in 15 years after their 54-46 bi-district win over Meridian Tuesday. • Buy reprints at wcmessenger.com/reprints.Dragons mangle MeridianRental & Storage300 S. Hwy. 101Chico940-644-5565CHICOAuto Parts& ServiceStore:113 W. Decatur, ChicoRepair:500 W. Sherman, Chico940-644-5459800-561-5459Friendly HometownAtmosphereChicoFlorist& GiftShop101 W. Decatur St.,Chico940-644-5711Mon.-Fri., 9am-5:30pmSat., 9am-NoonCraigMossBackhoeService,LLC940-644-2659BY BRANDON EVANSbevans@wcmessenger.comThe last time the Chicoboys varsity basketball teamwon a postseason game noneof the current team memberswere even in pre-school yet.But they looked like playoffveterans Tuesday nightwhen the Dragons snapped a15-year postseason droughtwith a convincing 54-46 winover the Meridian Yellowjacketsin a bi-district playoffgame in Brock.The game marked theteam’s first trip to the postseasonin 11 years.“It was all them,” saida smiling Ken Thompson,Chico’s head coach, after thegame. “I’m just along for theride.”Firepower from the twoDragon seniors left Meridiancold on the court.“Our two seniors, HunterClarke and Dylan Hightower,played well tonight,”Thompson said. “How theygo, we go.”Chico’s offense was on fireearly on, producing 16 pointsin the first quarter. Nine ofthose came from the seniorDRIVINGTHE LANE— Chico’sHunterClarke ledall scorersTuesday with20 points.JOE DUTY/WCMESSENGERFirst State BankChicowww.fsb-wise-co.com201 S. Weatherford St.940-644-2218Clarke. He made a trio of3-point shots in the quarter.Meridian kept pace with thescoring though.Both teams cooled in thesecond quarter, and thesquads went into halftimewith Chico holding a slightedge at 25-24.Chico played aggressivedefense in the third quarter,making several key blocksand a host of defensive rebounds.The team held Meridianto eight points in thequarter.“They are bigger than us,”Thompson said. “We had toplay good zone defense andget rebounds. We also had toshoot well.”Clarke led all scorers with20. In the second half hemade a flurry of assists, feedingthe ball again and againto fellow senior Hightower.“We just had to trust eachother,” Clarke said. “It feelsgood to bring it home.”Hightower was the secondleadingscorer with 17. Hissteady shooting in the finalquarter ensured Chico’s victory.Hightower got hot at theright time. He scored 10 ofGot To GoSolutionsPortableRestroom Rentaland ServicesFresh Water Services940-644-5500(24 Hour)JOE DUTY/WCMESSENGERDRAWING CONTACT — Hunter York draws a foul on his wayto the basket against Meridian Tuesday.his points in the fourth quarter,including a pair of threesthat silenced the loud Meridiancrowd.With about seven minutesleft in the final quarter, Meridianwas well within strikingdistance with the game aclose 41-37. But that’s whenHightower got hot. He scoredon a deep three to start hisrun. Moments later, after aMeridian turnover for steppingout of bounds, Hightowertook a pass from MattCarter to drive on an easylay-up.Chico got the ball backagain, and Clarke passed theball to an open Hightower.Standing behind the threepointline in the center of thecourt, Hightower swishedthe shot, giving Chico a 49-37 lead with 5:35 left in thegame.It was Chico’s largest leadof the night and enoughLunch & DinnerMon.-Sat., 11am-9pm115 S. Weatherford St.940-644-2165points to keep Meridian outof reach for good.Others Chico scorers includedHunter York witheight, Carter with seven andChris Gilmore with two.At the end of the game, theloyal crowd of Chico studentsand parents who traveled toBrock stormed the court andcelebrated with the players.Hightower hoisted thetrophy above his head andyelled in triumph as fanscheered around him.“It felt awesome,” Hightowersaid of the victory. “I’venever experienced anythinglike this.”The win moved Chico to17-14 for the season. Theywere to play Stamford Fridaynight at Graham in thesecond round of the playoffs.Stamford is 16-2 overall.They went a perfect 10-0in district and have won 13straight games.S heila’sHairPalace300 S. Hwy. 101Chico940-644-5495Tues.-Fri., 8am-6pmSat., 8am-2pm32 years experienceHome, Lawn &Garden Supplies502 S. Hwy. 101,Chico940-644-1896Mon.-Fri., 8am-6pmSat., 8am-2pmWILEYH A R D W A R E109 W. Decatur St., Chico940-644-2623Mon.-Fri., 8am-5:30pmSat., 9am-4pmFour generationsowned & operated201 N. Hwy. 101Chico940-644-5400Open 7 DaysMon.-Fri., 6am-9pmSat., 7am-9pmSun., 8am-9pmService Insurance Group, Inc.Kelly Laney, Agent403 E. Sherman St.,Chico940-644-0003kelly.laney@sig4you.com