It’s rare to have a basketball game which is so physically exhausting and yet be a close, defensive battle. Last Tuesday’s Mineola vs. Malakoff varsity boys’ game was just that. 

Malakoff won 32-27, in a game decided in the closing minutes.

It was a joy to watch. Despite the low score, both teams played as if their throttles were stuck wide open.

Mineola played perhaps its best basketball of the year. If not for a handful of squandered possessions, the game could have found a place in Mineola basketball lore. 

The Jackets stormed out to a 10-4 first-quarter lead. They out-rebounded the visitors 7-4 in that quarter and hounded the opposition with man-to-man defense. 

Ainsley Steward opened with a 3-pointer. Zane Strange scored off an inbound play, Chance Williams made two free throws, and Caden Rupert scored off an assist from Aidan Shepherd. Steward notched a basket to end the quarter.

Malakoff came back in the second quarter as they limited Mineola to a single score -- another Steward-to-Strange inbound play. At the half, Malakoff led 15-12.

The first half was like a tough 800-meter run; the third quarter was like a 200-meter sprint. Watching the frantic pace of play was exhausting.

Malakoff opened with a 3-pointer, but Mineola carried the quarter. Steals and scores by Steward and Shepherd, a 3-pointer by Colton McMahon, a Williams jumper, and a pair of Steward foul shots put Mineola up 23-22.

That 1-point lead came when Williams and Shepherd trapped Malakoff in their offensive zone, and Steward intercepted the resulting pass. The ensuing score gave Mineola all the momentum going into the final period.

Both teams took a breath and brought competitive fire to that final quarter. With 3:00 on the clock the score stood 27-27. The Tigers carried the end game with disciplined ball handling to come away with the win.

Every single possession had been critical, and Mineola had squandered five – two in the first half and three in the fourth quarter. It was, perhaps, the difference.

Once again, Steward led the Yellowjackets. In addition to directing the offense, he played an outstanding defensive game against a strong and quick opposite number. 

McMahon demonstrated his strength in the middle, while Shepherd always seemed to spark a rally whenever he stepped on the floor.

The Yellowjackets began their second half of district play Tuesday hosting Eustace. They host Tyler Heat in a non-district match Friday and will be at Grand Saline Tuesday, Jan. 28.