By JOHN ARBTER

woodctystringer@gmail.com

In what can only be described as a chaotic affair, the Mineola Yellowjackets decisively won their district opener 65-22 against a visiting Eustace squad last Friday. 

The Yellowjackets overcame a slow start as both sides struggled with hitting shots in the opening quarter. As an example, Mineola’s opening possession resulted in four offensive rebounds, but no points. 

At the end of the first quarter, Mineola held a 12-6 edge.  That first quarter margin was largely due to the defensive pressure applied by the Jackets as well as an aggressive will in driving to the basket. 

Mineola began to stretch their legs a bit in the second quarter, outscoring the Bulldogs by 17 points. Ainsley Steward teamed up twice with Zane Strange in creating scoring sequences.

Beckham Bowker scored twice in the quarter, hitting a 3-pointer from the key and, moments later, with a backdoor lay-in. Steven Reyes contributed a driving score, a bucket on a long pass ahead, and a put-away of an offensive rebound.  Colton Garrigus joined the scorers with his own offensive rebound put-back and a charity shot.  

At the half, Mineola was in complete control, ranking 31-8.

The Jackets put 15 points on the board in the third period and finished with 19 in the final stanza. Three elements of Mineola’s game were most welcome to see: the ability to set effective screens, working to generate open shot opportunities, and a level of effort which won almost all one-on-one competitions. 

Coach Ryan Steadman said, “I have told the team that we will not be the biggest, or the strongest, or the fastest team on the court … we must have the greatest effort in order to win.”

That will certainly be tested this season in a very competitive district. 

If the initial district game was any indicator, the Yellowjackets have certainly bought in to the concept of all-out effort.

The Mineola Lady Jackets also share in that work ethic.  Earlier that afternoon, the Lady Jackets dispatched the Eustace Lady Bulldogs 66-24 to start their district campaign with a 3-0 record. 

The Lady Jackets returned to district action after having competed in a big tourney down in College Station, where they won three of five games.  

“It was great to see the girls’ level of activity after a very physically-demanding tourney,” said Lady Jackets coach Anthony McQuary about the game against Eustace. “We got started and got back into a good rhythm.”

The next opportunity to see the two squads in action at home will be Tuesday, Jan. 13 when both face their counterparts from Quitman.