Tenaha Special Events Center on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 –
The Shelbyville Dragons have advanced to the Texas UIL Region III Basketball Tournament by defeating the Timpson Bears by a 53-50 score in the Regional Quarterfinals Playoff on Tuesday at the Tenaha SEC, a neutral site.
The Dragons gained a 7-4 point lead midway through the opening period and they held a 15-9 advantage at the end of the first quarter. SHS held a 21-15 lead in the middle stages of the second stanza and still led 27-22 at the midway break. Timpson fought back to lead 33-32 halfway through the third period but Shelbyville gained the upper hand and led 41-38 going into the fourth quarter.
Each team scored 12 points in the final quarter and the Dragons held on for the three-point win.
The Dragons season record stands at 25-7. They were led by JaDavian Mathis with 18 points and DJ Barnes had 13. Eli Ferguson chipped in 12.
The Bears were led by Terry Bussey with 20 and Chris Nickleberry Jr. scored 17 points. The Bears season ended with the school at 13-6 overall after getting a late start due to going all the way to, and winning the state championship in football.
Shelbyville will face the LaPoynor Flyers next Friday, March 1, 2024 at 8 p.m. in the Regional Semifinals at Athens High School. LaPoynor defeated the Centerville Tigers by a 55-41 score.
