The Mineola Jackets opened district play Saturday against Kemp in dramatic fashion. Following a quick two-pointer by Kemp with less than two seconds left, senior Kourtland Sinches lifted up a prayer into the sky and it was answered with a game-winning half-court shot to give the Yellowjackets a thrilling 47-44 victory.

The game began in the opposite way of how it would end. Both teams failed to find any shooting consistency and Kemp led 4-2 after the period. Mineola got back into their groove and took a 20-15 lead into halftime after finishing the second period on an 18-11 run.

Kemp came back out in the third period and outscored Mineola 17-14 but trailed by two points entering the final period. The Yellowjackets had a 44-42 lead until about two seconds left when Kemp hit a two-pointer that would tie the game with overtime looming ahead. Sinches’ prayer was answered by the basketball gods and Mineola found victory in miraculous fashion off of Sinches’ half-court shot as time expired.

“The kids competed until the buzzer went off,” said Head Coach Ryan Steadman. “And I couldn’t be happier.”

Sinches led the Jackets in scoring with 15 points, five rebounds, three assists and a steal. Shaw Franklin followed up Sinches’ effort with eight points, seven rebounds and an assist. Frankie Meason added six points, seven rebounds and two steals and KD George contributed six points, five rebounds and a steal. Cody Ford and Cameron Hays each had five points and Shawn Dennis rounded out Mineola’s scoring with two points, a rebound and a steal.

The Jackets started the week off Tuesday and Wednesday in tournament play at the Mount Vernon Classic. Mineola faced tournament host Mount Vernon in their opening game and fell hard to the Tigers 73-53. The Jackets trailed 40-19 at halftime but played better in the second half outscoring Mount Vernon 34-33 but ultimately couldn’t overcome the Tigers’ fast start.

Mineola took out its frustration from the Mount Vernon loss on the unsuspecting Bulldogs of Queen City. The Jackets jumped out on a 19-2 run in the first period and took a 32-19 lead into halftime. Both teams came out cold after the break with the Tigers edging Mineola 9-8 in the third period but the Jackets clamped down on defense and shut out the Tigers 21-0 in the final period for the 61-28 victory.

The Jackets defeated Prairiland 53-28 in their final game of the Mount Vernon Classic.

Mineola (8-5, 1-0) traveled to Scurry-Rosser Tuesday, after Monitor press time, and host Edgewood this Friday.