Lindale edges Whitehouse in overtime

Published 12:14 am Tuesday, November 22, 2022

WHITEHOUSE — When the Lindale Eagles needed a big play late in Monday night’s contest, Cole Collinsworth was there to make it.

When the Eagles turned it over in a tied game in the final two minutes, Collinsworth hustled back to block what appeared to be a wide open layup for Whitehouse’s Keller Smith. The ball found the hands of Masen Rainey, who passed it to Ryder Johnson, who went the other way for a go-ahead layup.

After Isaac Lacy tied the game, Collinsworth put Lindale ahead with 44 seconds left before Lacy scored again to force overtime.

In the extra period, Collinsworth scored eight of Lindale’s 10 points, including a game-winning layup with nine seconds on the clock to give Lindale a 55-53 victory inside C.L. Nix Wildcat Arena.

Collinsworth led Lindale with 15 points — 10 coming in the final five minutes of play.

Lindale led 1-0 before the clock even started as Ryder Johnson hit one of two technical free throws that were awarded instead of the traditional opening tip.

Logan Dixon then hit a three to put the Wildcats in front. Whitehouse got buckets from Iven Lacy and Isaac Lacy to tie the score, but Lindale was able to lead 11-8 after the first quarter.

With Lindale leading 19-18 in the second quarter, Whitehouse got a layup from Isaac Lacy to take the lead, but Kyesen Ripley knocked down a three to help the Eagles regain the lead. The Wildcats got a putback from Colton McMahon and a layup from Iven Lacy to go up 24-22 with about a minute left in the half. Two free throws by Amare Baptiste and a 3-pointer in the final seconds by Dixon sent Lindale into the locker room with a 27-24 elad.

Whitehouse opened the second half with buckets by Bryson Hawkins and Isaac Lacy before Lindale went on a 7-0 run. The Eagles led 37-32 after three quarters.

A layup by Rainey to open the fourth quarter pushed the lead to 39-32, and then neither team scored for nearly three minutes until DeCarlton Wilson drained consecutive triples to cut the score to 39-38 with 4:05 to play. Smith then made two free throws to put the Wildcats in front, 40-39.

The score was tied at 41 when Collinsworth’s block led to Johnson’s go-ahead layup. Isaac Lacy scored and got fouled with 50 seconds remaining but missed the free throw. After Collinsworth scored with 44 seconds left, Isaac Lacy scored on an assist by Wilson with 20 seconds to play in regulation. Baptiste’s three in the final seconds was off the mark to send the game to overtime.

Collinsworth scored on a quick runner to open overtime, and Wilson and Collinsworth then traded free throws. A bucket inside by Baptiste made it 51-48 with 1:40 to play.

Hawkins hit two threes with two free throws by Collinsworth sandwiched in between to tie the score at 53 with 41 seconds left. In the half-court set, Johnson found a cutting Collinsworth for the go-ahead layup, and Whitehouse was unable to get a shot off before time expired.

Isaac Lacy led Whitehouse (0-1) with 17 points. Wilson had 13 points and eight assists. Hawkins scored 8 points, Iven Lacy 7, Keller Smith 6 and McMahon 2.

Johnson had 14 points for Lindale. Rainey scored 8 points. Dixon, Baptiste and Ripley all added 6 points.

Whitehouse will host All Saints on Tuesday before hosting the TABO Classic on Friday and Saturday. Lindale (3-1) will host Pine Tree on Tuesday.