Jacksonville’s Jayden Casel (21) puts up a shot against Tyler on Thursday in the Wagstaff Holiday Classic.

In a game befitting a district matchup, Jacksonville’s Karmelo Clayborne hit two free throws with 2.9 seconds showing and the Indians survived a 3-point attempt by Tyler’s Marquette Martin in a 55-53 victory on Thursday in the 69th Annual Wagstaff Holiday Classic at Wagstaff Gymnasium.

The teams will likely be in the same district next year as Jacksonville is expected to move up to Class 5A at the next UIL realignment.

Jacksonville moves to 2-0 in the Classic, while the Lions fall to 1-1.

The Indians are scheduled to play Whitehouse at 7:45 p.m. Friday, while Tyler is slated to meet Henderson at 5:15 p.m.

The Lions burst out to a 23-9 lead, but Jacksonville went on on a 10-1 run to get back in the game.

Tyler led at halftime 28-19.

In the third quarter, Jacksonville outscored the Lions 20-5 to take a 39-33 lead heading into the fourth period.

That’s when both teams heated up and the Lions eventually tied the game at 53-53 when Jaishua Brown drained a 3-pointer at the top at the two-minute mark.

Both squads had chances down the stretch, but neither could score. The Lions almost had a steal with under 20 seconds showing, but Jacksonville retained possession and Indian Coach Mark Alexander called timeout at 15.7 seconds.

Jacksonville worked the ball around and Claybourne shot but Brown blocked the attempt. It went back to Claybourne who put up another try and he was fouled this time with 2.8 seconds showing.

He swished both attempts to put his team up 55-53.

Tyler Coach Justin Johnson called timeout and Martin got the ball on the inbound pass, took a few dribbles. Martin, who picked up a football offer from Texas Wesleyan on Thursday, got a good look, but the ball bounced off the rim.

Clayborne led the Indians with 16 points, followed by Jayden Casel (12), Isaiah Hamilton (11), Jermaine Taylor (9), Derrion Hamilton (3), Reese Hicks (2) and Brady McCown (2).

Casel had 11 rebounds. Isaiah Hamilton and Claybourne had two steals each.

Jaishua Brown led the Lions with 21 points in his second game back from injury. He added 13 rebounds and five blocks.

Also scoring for Tyler were Derrick McFall (10), Geordon Brown (7), Kenson Anderson (6), Jasyn Grayson (5) and La’Marcus Lamb (4).

Lamb added six rebounds and Martin grabbed six boards.

Legendary coaches John Alexander (former Jacksonville High School mentor) and Dale Dotson (former Texas Longhorn and coach at Lon Morris College) were in attendance.