HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL | Kilgore splits with Spring Hill; Sabine sweeps New Diana

Sabine coach Sara Cantrell (center, kneeling) talks to the team during a time-out. The Lady Cardinals sank New Diana on Friday night, 51-26, and have won four of their five District 15-3A games. Sabine’s Cardinals ran all over New Diana in the nightcap, winning 60-24. The Cardinals are off to a 3-0 start in their district schedule. (Photo by JENNA LUCAS – ETBLITZ.COM)

Kilgore coach Jeff Coleman can rest easy – for a few days, at least.

And Sabine’s basketball teams are both looking good, a combined 7-1.

The Kilgore basketball Bulldogs needed a win in the worst way Friday, after dropping their last two games to Center and Chapel Hill, both at home.

But KHS journeyed to Longview Friday night and got what they needed, stopping the two-game skid with a 54-42 win over the Spring Hill Panthers.

That was the Bulldogs’ 12th win of the season, and they have a 4-2 district record, although they will have to face Center and Chapel Hill on the road in the second round.

The Lady Bulldogs, beleaguered by injuries all season, played well but dropped a 51-39 decision to the Lady Panthers just prior to the boys game. Kilgore’s girls are 6-14 overall and 0-7 in their district schedule.

Both Kilgore teams will be in action on Tuesday, both at home against Center, beginning with subvarsity games at 4:30. That’ll mark the start of the second round for Coleman’s Bulldogs.

Kilgore 54, Spring Hill 42 (boys): Kilgore doubled up Spring Hill in the first quarter, getting off to a great start with a 15-7 lead.

The Panthers, who normally play really well at home in their series with Kilgore, came right back, getting within a point, but Braydon Nelson and Jayden Sanders each scored twice in the final minute, allowing the Bulldogs to take a 23-18 lead into the half.

Nelson, who committed to the University of North Texas in football this week, finished up with 21 points. Sanders added 14.

Kilgore defeated this coming Tuesday’s opponent, Gilmer, in the district opener for both teams back in December.

Spring Hill 51, Kilgore 39 (girls): Coach Marissa Koop’s Lady Bulldogs don’t have a district win, but in most every district game, they’ve been competitive.

That did not change at Spring Hill Friday night.

Spring Hill needed a couple of buckets late in the half to take a 21-18 lead into the locker room.

But the Lady Panthers held Kilgore to just six third-quarter points, and KHS couldn’t make up the difference.

Maurine Witt led Kilgore with 13 points. Auniyeuh Matlock added 10.

Sabine 60, New Diana 24 (boys): It was a good night for both Sabine teams, who swept New Diana on Friday night at SHS in Liberty City.

Hudson McNatt led Sabine with 22 points. Matt Smith and Clayne Simmons each had eight, and coach Colby Carr’s Cardinals remained undefeated in District 15-3A – they’re 3-0 in their district games, and 16-9 overall.

Sabine 51, New Diana 26 (girls): Coach Sara Cantrell’s Lady Cardinals started the night off right, holding the Lady Eagles to just seven points in each of the first three quarters.

The Lady Cards are 4-1 in district play and have won, obviously, four of their last five games: their only district loss was to Gladewater last week.

For Sabine against New Diana, Loren Colquitt led the way with 12 points. Caitlyn Stewart added 11.

Ella Roberts had nine points; Kylee Longhofer and Bailey Pierce each scored six; Autumn Rhodes had four and Maddy Pierce, three.

Both Sabine teams will host Daingerfield on Tuesday, with girls varsity starting at 6.