Senior guard Jonah Fischer had just made an acrobatic drive ending with a highly arching scoop-shot which brought the Yellowjackets to within a basket of the Atlanta Rabbits. There was 6:43 to play in the regional semi-final last Saturday. A trip to Prosper hung in the balance.   

Atlanta went immediately back to their big post, Daimion Collins, for consecutive scores and added a baseline jumper. With 3:00 to play, Atlanta had restored a nine-point lead.

Fischer’s basket had been the high-water mark for the Yellowjacket’s season. They fell to the Rabbits 71-62 at Hallsville’s Bobcat Coliseum. 

For pure basketball enthusiasts, it was a heck of a game. Both teams came out firing, with frantic play from the very outset. It should be noted that in a feat of athletic prowess, Mineola’s Dawson Pendergrass won the opening tip against Atlanta’s University of Kentucky commit, the 6’8” Collins.

Midway through the first quarter, Atlanta held an 11-7 edge. The Jackets were aggressive and out-rebounded the Rabbits nine to four in the opening quarter. 

Unfortunately for Mineola, Atlanta was bent on running the floor, and their guards pushed the ball at every opportunity. From the 3:16 mark of the first quarter to the 4:00 mark in the second, Atlanta scored freely. It was a 17-point run.

Fans were beginning to wonder just how competitive this game would be.  

Following a Mineola time-out, the Jackets reversed their fortunes. They closed the half on a 13-6 run, and sent a message that the game was far from over. TJ Moreland and Fischer combined for three 3-pointers, while Trevion Sneed added two inside scores – one on an offensive rebound put-back and one on a nice assist from Fischer.      

Offensively, the Jackets had begun to impose their game against a tough Atlanta zone and stopped being overly influenced by the Rabbit’s tall post. At the half Mineola trailed 34-22. 

As everyone on the orange side of the gym knew, the Jackets would come out strong after the break. In order to truly challenge Atlanta they would have to stop the break, shoot with confidence and continue strong play on the boards. A hot shooting hand wouldn’t hurt either.

That was provided by T.J. Moreland, who accounted for 11 points in the third quarter. Atlanta whistled a time out halfway through the third quarter as the Jackets had closed to four points, 38-34. 

Following the stoppage, Sneed scored after securing a loose ball in the offensive zone. He then blocked a Rabbit jumper at the other end, but the blocked shot fell to another Rabbit who registered a 3-pointer. 

Fischer promptly took the ball down court and pulled up to answer with a 3-pointer. The margin was again two points, and Mineola seemed to have all the momentum. 

Atlanta rallied to hit consecutive 3-pointers and take a 47-41 lead into the final stanza. The Rabbits had moved into a man-to-man defense for the final 12 minutes of the game. Although it offered more scoring opportunities for the Jackets, it also seemed to even the play. 

Following Fischer’s aforementioned acrobatic drive, Atlanta went to their big man. Collins is no doubt adept around the basket and can shoot, with a soft touch and quick vertical acceleration. He gave Atlanta the margin to advance and sent the Yellowjackets home.

Trailing 60-51 with 3:00 to play, it would take everything to go the Jackets’ way in the final three minutes to take the game. It didn’t. Each side notched 11 points over that stretch. Atlanta would continue to play again.

If there was a moment to reflect on in this loss, it was provided by Trevion Sneed. Down by nine points with under a minute to play, Sneed took the ball directly at Collins. His shot bounced out and Sneed struggled and won the rebound. Again a shot went up and Sneed once again outfought Collins for the rebound. His third attempt fell true. 

It was a moment indicative of just what makes Yellowjacket basketball, and Mineola sports programs in general, so exciting and successful.