Article and Photo is courtesy of Ryan Silapan at The Panola Watchman
CARTHAGE — Sophomore Isaac Jackson scored a team-high 15 points and seven other players scored at least eight points as the Panola College men's basketball team led wire-to-wire in a 92-56 blowout victory over visiting Coastal Bend in a Region XIV Conference game on Wednesday night.
Esteban Roacho scored 14 point and had a game-high five steals, Troy Hupstead had a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds, Bennie Amos III scored 10, D'Mari Johnson scored nine with six boards while David Jones, Jaylen Wysinger and William Mfum all scored eight, with Jones adding seven boards and Mfum six.
"I was pleased with how we started; we came in ready to play," Panola Coach Aaron Smith said. "The guys were locked in and very pleased with probably 28 minutes of action. I think there was six minute segment in the first half where we did not score and let them score way too much. Then probably the last six minutes of the game got a little silly."
Panola (12-4, 3-2 Region XIV) came out like gangbusters, starting the game on a 21-2 run.
The Ponies were hitting 3s, feeding the big men for easy finishes and playing stifling defense.
"It was a good victory," Hupstead said. "In practice coaches harp on us about the little things about being successful and doing what we do best. Being on the same page and being locked in as a unit and as time progresses, we are getting better at that."
Coastal Bend (3-12, 1-5) trailed by as many as 27 in the first half but were able to go on a 17-6 run the final 7:10 of the first half, to turn a 37-10 game into a 43-27 break going into halftime.
The Cougars cut the Ponies' lead down to 48-35 early in the second half, but Panola would respond with an 11-3 run over the next four minutes to increase their lead to 59-38.
"It's team chemistry and building that brotherhood," Hupstead said. "Not being selfish and making the right basketball play and not so much about ourselves, think about others."
Panola wouldn't allow Coastal Bend to get within 20 the rest of the game.
Robert Gil scored a game-high 21 points and had five rebounds for the Cougars, while Jaylen Williams scored 11 and Elijah Lee scored seven.
The Cougars kept pace with the Ponies behind the 3-point line, but it was down low where Panola bullied the smaller Coastal Bend.
"I'm very pleased with production we've been getting from Hupstead, Camacho and now adding David Jones to the mix," Smith said. "D'Mari Johnson does a good job when he's in there as well. I was very pleased overall with the production from the Bigs."
Along with very stellar post play, Smith was able to get some scoring and enthusiasm from his perimeter players off the bench.
Roacho especially has really been playing solid as of late for the Ponies.
"I think a light bulb has really gone off for Esteban," Smith said. "I'm anticipating him to help us a lot down the stretch, he was great tonight. Always making defensive and energy plays. Being more aggressive offensively and showing his athleticism getting to the rim."
The Ponies will look to make it three-straight conference victories when they travel down to Victoria this Saturday at 4 p.m.
Victoria is winless on the season so far, and Panola isn't looking to be the first team Victoria knocks off for a victory.
"This was a great game," Roacho said. "We need to have the right mindset and get that victory in Victoria."