The Grand Saline Indians used a 12-point run early in the third quarter to hand the visiting Mineola Yellowjackets a 61-48 loss last Friday. The Indians simply demonstrated more court awareness and better finishing around the basket in dealing Mineola the defeat. 

While the Yellowjackets featured the standard productive output of Braydon Alley – who led the Jackets with 22 points from the field – the absence of Colton McMahon clearly left a hole in the Jackets on-court presence. 

That, combined with an energized performance from the home side, resulted in Mineola heading into district play on the heels of a less-than-optimal performance.

Most concerning for the Yellowjackets was the ability of the Indians to penetrate against the Jackets man-to-man defense and score after dropping the ball inside. The backside defensive fill was missing for the Yellowjackets for most of the contest.

The second take-away from the game was that the normally dominant Mineola full court press was, at best, a 50/50 proposition. When Grand Saline broke the press, it often resulted in an easy basket on the offensive end.     

What Mineola fans have to look forward to was also evident, even in defeat, last Friday. 

Braydon Alley’s inside game is getting stronger as the season progresses. He is able to get off quality shots inside, even when double-teamed. His reactions rebounding and vertical jumping ability will certainly have him battling for a district rebounding title. 

The Mineola guard play, with Keke Martin and Ainsley Steward, will be a source of great strength for the team. Martin possesses an excellent ability to find a seam in the defense and acrobatically exploit it, while Steward employs an amazingly soft and accurate jump shot. 

The Jackets may have dropped a game on the road to finish their pre-district schedule, but the components are all there for a solid district run. 

After hosting Winona and traveling to Mt. Vernon, the next opportunity to see Mineola in action is Friday, Jan. 5, at home against Winnsboro.