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By Tommy Mann Jr.

Special to The Orange Leader

ORANGEFIELD — The Bobcats fought off a tough Anahuac Panthers squad on Friday night to secure a 53-38 victory in district play.

The Panthers jumped out to an early 7-0 lead and looked as if it would dominate the game before Orangefield scored its first point on a free throw by Owen Sims with 3:34 left in the opening period, but the Bobcats roared back. As time was nearly expired at the end of the period, Elijah Jones scored a basket to give Orangefield an 11-9 lead that it would never relinquish.

Both squads traded baskets during the second period and were tied 18-18 before Orangefield scored 10 consecutive points on the way to a 28-18 halftime lead. The scoring started when Anahuac was whistled for a 10-second violation for not moving the ball across half court. Jones scored six points in the period, while Jaden Scales tossed in the final eight points of the half.

The Bobcats picked up right where they left off in the third period scoring six consecutive points to extend the lead to 34-18 on the way to a 38-27 lead at the end of the third.

Another seven point run to start the fourth period secured the game as Orangefield built a 53-33 lead on the way to the 15-point victory.

Scales finished the night leading all scorers with 18 points, which included three three-pointers, while Jones scored 14 points and Griffin Thomas added 13 points.

Orangefield has a 4-1 record in District 18-3A play and will host the Hardin Hornets on Tuesday, Jan. 14.