While the other four teams in District 3-5A opened their schedule last Friday, Amarillo High drew the district’s first open date. Furthermore, the Sandies headed into a crucial game against their traditional crosstown rival without the edge which can only come from a district game.
Whatever concerns the Sandies may have had proved to be unfounded, as they were in control from the start and rolled to a 69-53 victory over Tascosa to get off on the right foot in district play. As much as anything, AHS coach Jason Pillion had to be happy with the way his team played the situation as much as the Rebels.
“It was probably the biggest thing and I was very proud of us,” Pillion said. “We didn’t exactly handle an emotional environment well earlier in the season and I thought we handled that tonight. We responded with lots of maturity. Anybody who thought (Tascosa’s) game last Friday night with Palo Duro is a normal thing is nuts.”
That Palo Duro game was a rough one for Tascosa, which looked out of sorts in a 68-35 loss at No. 11 Palo Duro in the district opener. The Rebels were more competitive against the Sandies (22-4, 1-0 in district), but Amarillo High didn’t show any rust despite not having played for a week.
Amarillo High led virtually the entire game and was in control for most of the 32 minutes. The Sandies definitely showed why they’ve been the team in town to beat the last few years and didn’t appear to have lost any stride.
They shot well from outside, hitting 10 3-pointers, establishing their intent by hitting four in the first quarter. Amarillo High led by as many as 13 points in the first half en route to taking a 33-21 halftime lead.
“I think coming off the last month when we didn’t have Braden and Zach (due to injuries) we had some guys step up,” Pillion said. “I think our team learned a lot about itself as far as realizing anybody can handle ‘the play.’ That’s the shot that has to cut the drive, so I think there’s a little bit more trust with our guys.”
Amarillo High pulled away in the third quarter, building the lead to 53-33, the biggest advantage the Sandies enjoyed. Tascosa (18-8, 0-2) threatened to start the fourth quarter with a 10-0 run, but the Rebels were unable to cut the deficit to single digits the rest of the way.
That was really the only major hiccup for the Sandies in their district opener.
“This late of a start in district (the Rebels) had a little bit of an advantage already having the district opener in a hostile environment,” PIllion said. “To get a win on the road is big so I’m very proud.”
Hawkins Farris led Tascosa with 15 points, hitting a pair of threes during that run to start the fourth quarter which got the Rebels back in it. Jailyn Sledge added 11.
Amarillo High 19Â 33Â 53Â 69
Tascosa     11 21 33 53
AHS- Braden Hausen 16, Zach Brown 16, T.J. Brown 13, Davis Sluder 11. T- Hawkins Farris 15, Jailyn Sledge 11. Records: Amarillo High 22-4, 1-0; Tascosa 18-8, 0-2.