The Mineola Yellowjackets went to Mt. Pleasant last Tuesday to face the Chapel Hill Red Devils with an opportunity to clinch a District 13–3A title. They faced a worthy opponent and succumbed to the Devils 48-40, tying the teams for first with two losses apiece.

The ‘Jackets started strong, pulling ahead by as many as nine points in the first quarter. Their offensive sets in the half-court were getting several open looks and they hit 2-of-8 threes in the opening eight minutes, courtesy of Hunter Vandover and Conner Gibson on the way to a 17-11 margin.

Mineola pushed the lead to double digits in the second quarter before a couple careless turnovers started allowing Chapel Hill back into the contest, standing 27-23 ‘Jackets at the half.

Fouls beleaguered Mineola in the second half and they struggled to capture any sustainable momentum. Even point guard Xzavien Lipscomb, whose steady head and hands bely his freshman-level experience, suffered tick-tack calls, fouling out along with Braydon Alley.

It took the Red Devils four and a half minutes to grab the lead, eclipsing the Yellowjackets for the first time since the opening moments of play, 30-29.

The hosts managed to gain a five point advantage before it was cut to three via free throws by T.J. Moreland, who tallied 20 points. Chapel Hill called timeout leading 39-36 with 4:57 remaining in regulation.

The clear lanes that Mineola was able to leverage to begin the evening were mostly shut down and neither squad managed more than one field goal the rest of the way.

The Devils reached the line 13 times in the closing period, converting seven chances, enough to secure an eight-point margin of victory.

Mineola topped Winona 73-35 Friday and hosted Quitman to close out the regular season Tuesday, needing a win to stay even with Chapel Hill.