The Midland boys’ basketball team (12-14, 0-3) fought Permian (18-7, 3-0) throughout the game, cutting the lead to single digits in the fourth, but the Panthers got a big night out of Ryale Moses and were able to walk away with a 54-39 win on Jan. 19.
"Moses did a great job," said Permian Coach Steven Flores. "He’s averaging a double/double in district. He's just a motor guy and busted his butt for 32 minutes."
With no score, Midland was attempting to put points on the board but Moses of Permian swooped in for a blocked shot near the basket. After a Permian steal, Ben Salvidar scored on a pull up jumper coming off a fast break to put the Panthers up 2-0. It was a close game to start, and with Permian up 8-6, Midland’s Tyquon Satterwhite drilled a three to put the Bulldogs up by one. Permian went on to score again before the first quarter ended and it was a 10-9 Panther lead after one.
Midland boys' basketball team
| Midland Coach Brad Reese
In the second quarter with Permian up 11-9, Salvidar made points out of a turnover on a fast break layup to go up 13-9 with 4:30 left. Permian led 15-9, but Satterwhite had something to say about that with a pull up three from the top of the arc to cut the Panther lead to three. Permian then went on a 10-0 run, highlighted by a fast break, and-one layup by Isaac Chavez. The Panthers had a 25-12 lead and were looking for more, but Satterwhite showed his defensive skills with a block with less than a minute left. Midland hit a bucket, but then Damazion Woods nailed a three for Permian. It was a 28-16 Permian lead at halftime with Moses leading the Panthers with 10 points. Kenderick Cooks and Satterwhite each had six points.
In the third quarter, Midland got blocks out of Zhaitry Walton, Cooks and Satterwhite within the first three-and-a-half minutes. Cooks also had a steal in that stretch. With the score 34-21 in Permian’s favor, Permian’s Javariane Beck blocked a shot with 2:15 left in the third. Permian was up 38-23, but Cooks was able to score on a fast break for Midland, making it a 38-25 game. Permian had a 12-11 advantage in the quarter and led 40-27 going into the final frame.
In the fourth quarter, Blade Brandon of Midland nailed a three to make it a 46-36 game in favor of the Panthers. Dwayne Bush scored on a fast break to cut the lead to eight points. However, Permian finished the game strong with a 14-12 advantage to secure the win. Beck and Jamibrione Anderson each had a steal and a fast break score in the quarter. Salvidar had a block, as well.
"Keys to the win was our defense," said Flores. "We shot the ball horrible so our defense was definitely the key to our win the other night. They cut it to nine but we let them play through it because that’s the game of basketball. It's a game of runs but the kids never lost composure so I was proud of them and their effort."
Permian led 45-35 in rebounds and 16-5 in assists. Midland had a 4-3 advantage in blocks and each team had six assists. Shooting was evenly matched, with Midland edging it out with 33% to 32%.
Moses led the charge for Permian with a game high 21 points. Salvidar had 12 points and Woods put up six points including a three.
The Bulldogs were led by Satterwhite with 13 points. Cooks had eight points and Mosley scored seven points for Midland.
After the game Midland Coach Brad Reese said was happy with the team’s effort, but said improvement and more aggressiveness is needed to get into the win column.
“The guys played a tough game vs Permian,” said Reese. “We have to continue to improve every day. This week is a very important week for our program as we look to get our first district win. This week we have to be more aggressive, defensively, and continue to play together. Satterwhite had a good game on Friday. Hope we continue to build on that.”