 Big Spring Steers forward Terrance Clemons dribbles around a Lubbock Estacado defender Friday night in Steer Gym. Ninth-ranked Estacado defeated Big Spring 65-44, meaning the Steers have started 0-3 in District 4-4A play. Clemons scored 13 points in the loss. (HERALD photo/Jonathan Hull)
By JONATHAN HULL Herald Sports Editor
For three periods, the No. 9 Lubbock Estacado Matadors looked ripe for an upset.
Big Spring’s Steers had the Matadors on their heels, keeping within striking distance for 24 minutes of game time. However, Estacado started living up to its state ranking in the final stanza, outscoring the Steers 23-4 and taking a 65-44 victory.
“It was fun for three periods,” Big Spring Head Coach Marcus Morris said. “I don’t know if we gave out in the last period, but something got to us. Their pressure was really good, but I feel like we hurt ourselves more than anything else.” A Jason Walker free throw in the opening moments of the fourth period pulled Big Spring within 1 of the Matadors, 42-41. However, as has been the case for all three of the Steers’ district games, Big Spring was unable to pull any momentum away from its opponent.
“We’ve got to keep playing through this,” Morris said. “Basketball season is a marathon and it’s still early in the district schedule. We’ve got things we can improve on, but we’ve gotten better at a lot of things already this season. That’s the last thing we’ve got to do is learn how to finish tough games.”
According to Morris, there was a feeling that the Steers could grab the advantage at any moment. However, the Steers simply couldn’t come up with the game-changing play they needed.
“It always felt like we were just a shot away from taking a lot of momentum in this game,” Morris said. “It’s been that way all season. The ball doesn’t quite bounce our way. We’re still in this district and we’ve got a lot of games left at home. We’ll keep working.”
Big Spring led by as many as six points in the first period, but Estacado held the 1-point advantage by the end of the opening stanza.
The two squads played even in the second period. With the score was tied at 25 with just seconds remaining before halftime, Estacado made a field goal, then stole the ball on the Steers’ ensuing possession and took it down for a dunk. The 4-0 stretch gave the Matadors a 29-25 lead at intermission.
Big Spring responded coming out of the locker room, attacking Estacado defensively and keeping the score within reason courtesy of several points off turnovers.
However, Big Spring couldn’t keep that pace and fell to 0-3 in District 4-4A play.
Big Spring was led by Walker’s 17 points. Terrance Clemons scored 13 as the only other Steer in double figures.
Jamal Johnson racked up a game-high 19 points for the Matadors and Al Duvall chipped in 15.
Big Spring looks for its first district win Tuesday in Plainview.
“We like the challenge and we’re going to rise up to it,” Morris said. “We know what’s in front of us. We’ve got to play four good quarters and go win some games.”
Estacado 12 17 13 23—65
Big Spring 11 14 15 4—44
Estacado: Kevin Wagner 6, D.J. Minjarez 2, Davoyea Johnson 5, Jamel Stewart 7, Latron Perry 1, Jourdian Irvin 4, Jamal Johnson 19, Al Duvall 15, William Spence 2, D.J. William 4.
Big Spring (10-12, 0-3): Terrance Clemons 13, Darius McCallister 3, Jerrell Williams 2, Hayden Phillips 5, Jason Walker 17, Tyler Tannehill 2, Matt Ritchey 2.
Contact Sports Editor Jonathan Hull by calling 263-7331, ext. 237, or by e-mailing him at
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