Red Devil run continues as team takes on Hooks in regional quarterfinals

Red Devil run continues as team takes on Hooks in regional quarterfinals News Staff Wed, 02/28/2024 - 06:12 Image

• Chapel Hill’s Jaydyn Haley defends New Boston’s Adrian Myrks during the bi-district round. The fourth-ranked Red Devils took on fifth-ranked Hooks Tuesday for the chance to play at this weekend’s regional tournament, TRIBUNE PHOTO / QUINTEN BOYD

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The fourth-ranked Chapel Hill Red Devils knew they would enter the playoffs with a target on their backs. Thus far, the Devils have turned away every challenge.

The Red Devils opened their playoff run at Pittsburg’s Jack Arnwine Gymnasium against the New Boston Lions, starting the game on a 25-5 run and taking a 46-14 lead into halftime as the team rolled to an 8346 win over the Lions. Every Red Devil player recorded a stat and 12 out of 13 team members scored a point.

Braden Buchanan led the Devils with 25 points, six rebounds, five assists and five steals. Alonzo Ramirez added 10 points, six rebounds and seven assists. Isaac Bailey had nine points and five rebounds, Cayden Martinez finished with seven points and seven rebounds, Jaydyn Haley and A.J. Ramirez both added six points and Carter Alphin put in five points.

Julian Soto finished with four points, Rhett Barley, Max Daniel and Angel Banda all had three points and Banda also had seven boards. Kade Barley notched two points and Ty Abbott added a rebound.

Aidan Juarez led New Boston with 16 points. Xavier Rowden and Kason Campbell both added six.

The Devils advanced to the area round at Liberty- Eylau’s Rader Dome, where they met a familiar foe in the Jefferson Bulldogs, who eliminated Chapel HIll in overtime last season.

Chapel Hill took a 21-20 lead into the half against the game Bulldogs, but finished the game on a 36-16 run to pick up the win, 57-36.

The win set up a battle of state-ranked teams for the right to play in the regional tournament as the fourthranked Red Devils (30-1) took on fifth-ranked Hooks (34-1) Tuesday evening in Hallsville.

The Devils and Hornets met earlier this season in the finals of the Tenaha Holiday Hoops Tournament, with Chapel Hill winning thanks to a buzzer-beating three-pointer by A.J. Ramirez.

The winner of Tuesday’s game will take on either sixth-ranked Ponder (25-4) or 11th-ranked Dallas Madison (20-11) in the regional semifinals at Prosper High School. On the other side of the bracket, 17thranked Tatum (24-8) meets Winnsboro (14-4) and 18th-ranked Cedar Hill Trinity Leadership (20-16) takes on Paradise (25-11).