Robert E. Lee's Robert Pulliam (21) wrestles the ball away from a Rockwall player during Tuesday's game. The Red Raiders won 63-43. (Lang White | Correspondent)

A shot went up and Robert E. Lee’s Rico Major skied above everyone for the rebound. He missed the putback, but was able to force his way back in the air to rebound his own miss and score.

Major’s tenacity summed up the Red Raiders on Tuesday, who jumped on Rockwall and never let up en route to a 63-43 win at Lee Varsity Gymnasium.

Lee coach Alan Johnston said the win was a “team effort” adding his kids had “the eye of the tiger when they stepped on the court.”

The victory keeps the Red Raiders (15-8, 3-4 in District 12-5A) in fifth place in the league standings while dropping Rockwall to 12-10 and 4-3.

Major took care of the rebounding work, finishing two points shy of a double-double with eight points and 11 rebounds. Senior Caleb Johnston took care of the offense, going 6 for 7 from 3-point range to finish with a game-high 19 points. All told, REL drained 11 treys in the victory with senior Jack Calhoun (11 points) connecting on three of his own.

The interior slashing offense was provided by Demodrick Barker’s 13 points and five boards.

“We dominated the glass and made defensive stops when we needed to,” coach Johnston said. “We held (Austin) Grandstaff in check for the most part. We didn’t let anyone have a big night (either). I am just proud of the effort.”

Grandstaff, who has committed to Oklahoma State, rang up 33 points in the team’s first meeting — 60-52 win for Rockwall.

In Tuesday’s rematch, Grandstaff was held scoreless in the first quarter and missed his first eight shots overall. He still finished with a team-leading 13 points.

Meanwhile, Caleb Johnston, who missed the first meeting because of illness, made his first shot of the game and continued to terrorize Rockwall from long distance. Johnston also had three rebounds and five assists.

“I thought Caleb came out with a fire in his belly and did a great job shooting the basketball,” said Rockwall coach Alan Simmons.

“He had a great game and we didn’t defend him very well.”

The game began sluggishly with neither team able to score.

Then Johnston pulled up from deep and drained a 3-pointer with 4:51 remaining in the quarter. The REL senior hit at least one trey in the first, third and fourth quarters.

A pass inside to Amier Wilson led to a basket and 10-4 lead for REL entering the second quarter.

Barker put the team on his back in the second quarter, scoring nine points while Calhoun added a trey to give Lee a 27-16 lead at halftime.

Rockwall turned up its pressure defense and attempted to come back in the third quarter, but Johnston wouldn’t allow it, draining three treys to make the score 46-29 entering the fourth.

More 3-pointers from Calhoun and Johnston ended any more Rockwall comeback hopes.

“The kids wanted this; they knew that they had to have this win,” Coach Johnston said. “It kind of puts us back in decent shape now with three of our remaining five (games) at home.”

The Red Raiders go on the road Friday against first-place Mesquite. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Mesquite High School.

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District 12-5A

Robert E. Lee 63, Rockwall 43

Rockwall4121314 — 43

Robert E. Lee10171917 — 63

ROCKWALL — Austin Grandstaff, 13; Skyler Simmons, 7; Sam Edwards, 0; Trevor Blum, 9; Joseph Williams, 3; Cameron Schmucker, 2; Ryan Salinas, 0; Jacob Ballard, 0; John Tully, 6; Blake Rhodes, 0; Daniel Smith, 3. FG: 16-43. FT: 6-7.

ROBERT E. LEE — Rico Major, 8; D’Varius Taylor, 0; Demodrick Barker, 13; Jack Calhoun, 11; Robert Pulliam, 0; Kevin Ramsey, 7; Brian Brite, 3; Caleb Johnston, 19; John Bratloff, 0; Amier Wilson, 2. FG: 22-48. FT: 8-15.

THREE POINT GOALS — ROC (5-17): Grandstaff, Simmons, Tully (2), Smith. REL (11-21): Barker, Calhoun (3), Ramsey, Johnston (6).

RECORDS — Rockwall 12-10 (4-3); Robert E. Lee 15-8 (3-4).

NEXT UP — North Mesquite at Rockwall, 7 p.m. Friday; Robert E. Lee at Mesquite, 7 p.m. Friday.

Junior Varsity

Lee 59, Rockwall 43

Rockwall1310128 — 43

Robert E. Lee10151618 — 59

ROCKWALL — Broach, 1; Kindred, 6; Cooks, 7; Bently, 2; Tully, 2; Knight, 3; Johnson, 4; Lewis, 11; Parr, 7.

LEE — Bowie, 3; Davis, 16; Barker, 13; Green, 6; Walker, 11; Dotson, 4; Caldwell, 6.

THREE POINT GOALS — R: Cooks (2), Knight, Lewis. L: Bowie, Davis (3), Walker.

NEXT UP — Lee at Mesquite, 5 p.m. Friday.