Leps Beat Navasota to Claim Sole Possession Of First Place in 22-4A
-
Senior Clayton Cooper goes up for a lay up for La Grange in Friday night’s win over Navasota. Photo by Stephanie Steinhauser -
Oliver Gunn puts two on the board the Leopards against Navasota Friday night in La Grange. Photo by Stephanie Steinhauser
The La Grange boys basketball team is all alone in first place in District 22-4A after beating Navasota 50-45 at home Friday night.
Both teams came in tied atop the district standings at 2-0, but the Leps out-muscled the Rattlers to improve to 17-8 overall and 3-0 in district.
“We were picked to finish second in this district and we wanted to prove them wrong here tonight,” said La Grange guard Cordale Knapik, who scored eight. “We were more physical than them tonight and we killed them on the glass.”
Conner Brooks scored a team-high 18 points. Oliver Gunn and Clayton Cooper each scored nine.
Brandon Mathis grabbed 12 rebounds.
“I thought we rebounded well. I thought we played tremendous defense,” said La Grange head coach Trent Collier. “We put in some new wrinkles in the offense and they executed those. We took advantage of our inside strength, especially early. We were gritty. It was just a good win, a fun win.”
The Leps now turn their attention to Smithville where they will play at some point this week weather-permitting, before returning home Friday to play Bellville at 7:15 p.m.
“Every team is going to be coming to get us now,” Knapik said of their spot atop the standings. “We just have to work that much harder.”
– Jeff Wick
1/17/25
La Grange boys 50 Navasota 45
La Grange 11 16 10 13 – 50 Navasota 12 12 12 9 – 45 LG scoring: Oliver Gunn 9, Clayton Cooper 9, Devonte McKenzie 2, Conner Brooks 18, Cordale Knapik 8, Brandon Mathis 4.
Record: La Grange is 17-8 overall and 3-0 in district.
22-4A Boys Basketball La Grange 3-0 Navasota 2-1 Bellville 1-1 Giddings 1-2 Caldwell 1-2 Smithville 0-2