Gage Nuckolls (11), Ja’Corian Oes (15) and the Tyler Legacy Red Raiders against Mesquite Horn in a district game in 2024. The Red Raiders will meet Horn in the area round of the playoffs Friday in Athens. (Michel Alfaro/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

ATHENS — Tyler Legacy will play in the area round of the high school boys basketball playoffs for the first time since 2007 on Friday night.

“They just stuck with the process,” Tyler Legacy head boys basketball coach Kyle Smith said. “We’ve gone through highs and lows and dealt with adversity to get into a position to be successful. When you start off a season 4-8, some groups can lose confidence in what they’re doing. But they showed up, continued working hard and continued to get better.”

The Red Raiders (23-12) have now won 10 straight games after taking a 59-48 win over North Garland in bi-district on Tuesday.

Legacy will take on No. 21 Mesquite Horn (20-14) at 8 p.m. Friday at Athens. Lufkin and Highland Park play in the first game at 6 p.m.

The Red Raiders and Jaguars were previously in the same district, and Horn held a six-game winning streak over Legacy with the Red Raiders last defeating Horn in 2021. But the two teams met in the Allen Tournament on Dec. 28 with Legacy taking a 61-58 win.

“They are extremely athletic and physical,” Smith said. “They shoot the ball well. They will try to speed us up, so we have to handle the pressure and take care of the ball and take quality shots on the offensive end. They are a well-coached team. We will have to play well to be in the game.”

Jayden Jones had 17 points for the Red Raiders in the first meeting. Ja’Corian Oes had 14 points and nine rebounds. Zyere Ceasar scored 12 points, and Gage Nuckolls dished out seven assists.

Jordan Vasquez and Zaedyn Owens are key players for the Jaguars. Horn has size with Lamont Rogers (6-7), Owens (6-6) and Dammy Adebanjo (6-8).

The winner of Friday’s game will advance to the Class 6A Division 2 Region II semifinals to face either Willis or Cypress Springs.