Pearland head coach Steve Buckelew has a very young and inexperienced team this season and he knows that every game is important if the Oilers hope to make the post-season.
“Defense keeps us in games,” Buckelew said. “We’re young with five juniors and five sophomores, and no varsity experience. We’re kind of reidentifying ourselves. I like the 10 kids we have. I think they’re winners, but each game is like a new experience. We’re moving forward after a lot of personnel changes.”
It was a low scoring affair for both teams as they struggled to find the offensive range.
Pearland trailed 5-4 after the first eight minutes of action, but managed to lead at halftime 14-9 after outscoring the visitors 10-4.
Pearland showed glimpses of offensive potential at the outset of the third quarter, outscoring Hastings, 14-2, to open a 28-11 lead. The Oilers went on to lead 33-18 to start the final period.
Sophomores Savion Singleton, Bronson Davis and Ezenna Ibe along with junior Kavion Rogers each helped fuel the surge.
Luke Stano scored four quick points for a 37-18 lead while junior Braden Austin contributed a pair of baskets off steals to widen the margin to 41-23.
Hastings (3-17, 1-6) was never able to stage a comeback at any point in the second half.
Dawson sits atop the league standings at 7-0 after beating Alvin, 108-47, Saturday.
Alief Taylor, Shadow Creek and Strake Jesuit are each tied for second at 5-2 after the Crusaders edged Shadow Creek, 58-57, Saturday.
Pearland is 10-13 overall and 3-4 in the league standings.
“It’s one game at a time with us,” Buckelew said. “We’ll try to start chipping away and see if we can score enough points to get us into the playoffs. We control our own destiny by winning the games, but there are good teams ahead of us. A lot our kids aren’t varsity-ready, but we’re getting there. I like our chances.”
