Statement-Making Win for Leps
Finally Back at Full Strength, La Grange Dominates Previously Unbeaten Wharton
It’s still early in the season, but the La Grange boys basketball team sent a message about just how good they can be with a statement-making 65-46 win over previously unbeaten Wharton Tuesday.
Wharton (4-1) came into Tuesday’s game after scoring more than 90 points in back-toback wins.
But the Leps held them to half that, while La Grange got contributions up and down the roster.
“We shared the basketball, made the right pass. It was probably the most impressive game I’ve seen us play in a couple of years,” said La Grange head coach David Cooper.
Senior Jaxon Cooper led La Grange with 18 points but the Leps also got a career-high 14 points from senior Jacob Chovanetz and 13 more from junior Reece Nygrin, which tied a career high.
“We came out and played with a lot of intensity and effort and controlled the stuff we could control, which was attitude and effort,” Chovanetz said.
“This was a great win, and now when we face other great teams like this we expect to win,” Nygrin said.
The La Grange defense was particularly effective in forcing Wharton into taking outside shots, which the Tigers were not very good at knocking down on Tuesday.
“Wharton was quick and they went around us a few times, but we were able to be there at the basket to contest. We continue to play good defense and that will keep us in games,” David Cooper said.
The Leps were helped by the return to the lineup of Nate Scott and Eli Roberts. Tuesday’s game was the first of the season for both, who had been recovering from injuries suffered during football season.
“They really helped, especially with the effort and energy they bring to the court,” Chovantez said.
“Both of those guys were starters last year and it brought energy and confidence to everybody with those guys back,” David Cooper said.
Tuesday’s win erases what had been a rough stretch for the Leps. After starting the season 2-0, La Grange had come into Tuesday’s game off two straight losses to Schulenburg and Brenham.
“From the first four games I knew we were going to play hard and play good defense but I was wondering where the scoring was going to come from,” David Cooper said. “Everybody’s got to be able to chip in and help, and they did tonight.”
And suddenly the sky seems like the limit for the Leps, who will see if they can keep the momentum going Friday when they host El Campo at 7:30 p.m.
November 29
La Grange boys 65 Wharton 46
La Grange 19 19 8 19 – 65 Wharton 13 11 5 17 – 46
La Grange scoring: Chovanetz 14, Williams 2, Roberts 2, Cooper 18, Knapik 5, Trlicek 2, Scott 5, Nygrin 13, Bargas 4.
Records: La Grange is 3-2, Wharton is 4-1.
JV: Wharton 55, La Grange 41 Leading scorer: Gunn 17
Freshmen: Wharton 50, La Grange 23 Leading scorer: Gunter 9