John Tyler's Tyus Bowser goes up for a shot over Lindale's Connor Lind during their game Friday in Lindale. (John Huseth | Tyler Morning Telegraph)

LINDALE — John Tyler rotated shifts throughout the night and handled Lindale in workmanlike fashion for a 61-38 win on Friday.

Tyus Bowser clocked out with nearly five minutes left after leading the JT crew with 17 points, 12 rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots. The Lions secured second place in District 16-4A heading into Tuesday’s regular season finale against Jacksonville.

A two-year run as district champs ended for JT (7-2 in 16-4A) after Jacksonville (9-0) remained unbeaten with a win over Whitehouse (5-4).

Ten different JT players produced points in a game the Lions never trailed. Fred Ross came off the bench to score nine points, including a thunderous one-handed throwdown for JT’s final bucket and a 61-33 lead.

Issac Warren and Greg Ward served as defensive ball-hawks with four steals apiece to go with six points each. JT’s reserves recorded 32 of the team’s 61 points.

“Depth has always been able to help us,” JT coach Cedeno Clark said. “As long as the guys are playing defense the way we are, it’s beneficial when we rotate 10, 11 and 12 guys. It’s always good to have a deep bench.”

JT used an 11-0 run midway through the second period to take full command with a 23-10 lead. Bowser started the run with a three-point play and a Ward steal led to Ross scoring in transition the other way. Ward knocked down a trey and Hennessey Lampkin finished the spurt with a free throw and put-back for a 13-point lead.

The Lions overpowered the Eagles inside, where they grabbed 24 offensive rebounds. JT doubled up Lindale on forced turnovers (24-12). The Lions logged 16 steals on the night,

Jacob Capo paced Lindale (0-9) with 14 points on 7-for-9 shooting.

The Eagles shot 48 percent, but saw their chances cut down due to the Lions’ dominance on the glass.

“That’s what will hurt you,” Lindale coach Scott Albritton said of the rebounding disparity.

Bowser, a 6-3 senior who signed with Houston on Wednesday for football with plans to play basketball for the Cougars, ripped down six offensive boards — more than Lindale’s entire starting five.

“He was a physical presence in the paint with rebounds and put-backs,” Clark said of Bowser. “His size and physicality is tremendous against smaller teams like that.”

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John Tyler 61, Lindale 38

John Tyler 11 19 15 16 — 61

Lindale 6 10 8 14 — 38

JOHN TYLER — Greg Ward, 6; Jordan Caldwell, 2; Issac Warren, 6; Fred Ross, 9; Rodney Bendy, 4; Keaunte Humber, 3; Javonte Tramble, 4; William Vaughn, 5; Tyus Bowser, 17; Hennessey Lampkin, 5. FG: 22-56 FT: 13-21.

LINDALE — Mason Terry, 5; Dakota Heinaman, 2; Kolton Pierce, 2; Connor Lind, 2; Austin Drawbond, 5; Zach Huseth, 3; Jacob Capo, 14; Court Brown, 5. FG: 16-33 FT: 3-5.

Three-Point Goals — John Tyler 4-19 (Ward 2, Warren, Vaughn), Lindale 3-10 (Terry, Huseth, Brown). Fouled Out — Drawbond. Rebounds — John Tyler 40 (Bowser 12), Lindale 30 (Terry 6). Assists — John Tyler 14 (Hart 4), Lindale 8 (Terry 3). Total Fouls — John Tyler 10, Lindale 18.

RECORDS — John Tyler 13-14 (7-2); Lindale 9-19 (0-9).

NEXT UP — Jacksonville at John Tyler, Tuesday.

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Junior Varsity

John Tyler 48, Lindale 46 (OT)

John Tyler 14 3 10 16 5 — 48

Lindale 6 7 14 16 3 — 46

JOHN TYLER — Jeremy Wilson, 6; Ja’Khari Lewis, 6; Martese Christian, 5; Chester Vaughn, 1; Tavian Teal, 7; Cameron Love, 2; Jacob Owens-Bush, 10; Bryant Moore, 3; J’Michael Jasper, 7; Dan Flournoy, 1.

LINDALE — Jackson, 6; Willis, 4; Alvarez, 3; Dudley, 24; Thomas, 2; Walters, 7.

THREE-POINT GOALS — JT: Wilson, Lewis, Christian, Teal, Owens-Bush; L: Dudley (3), Alvarez, Walters.

RECORDS — John Tyler (5-4).

NEXT UP — Jacksonville at John Tyler, Tuesday; Lindale at Corsicana, Tuesday.

Lady Lions set playoff game

The John Tyler girls open the Class 4A state basketball playoffs on Tuesday against Red Oak at 7 p.m. in Wills Point.

The Lady Lions (22-11) finished second in 16-4A, and Red Oak third in 15-4A.

The Lady Lions finished the regular season with six consecutive wins. JT reached the area round last year.