*The entire story with comments from coaches and players will appear in Monday’s edition of the Daily Sun.



Rice coach Eddie Barker thought his season ended when his Bulldogs lost their regular season finale to Malakoff, Tuesday. Down about the loss, Barker and his team found new life with a small note in the District 20-2A tiebreaker clause.

With Rice and the Kerens Bobcats tied 6-6 in district play, the two teams must play a third deciding game for the third playoff spot, even though the Bobcats won both district meetings.

That small addendum to the 20-2A bylaws and a 52-49 win over the Bobcats will keep the Bulldogs alive a little bit longer as they advanced to the Region III-2A bi-district round.

With Rice leading, 52-49 with nine seconds remaining, Kerens senior guard Austin Bell brought the ball down court, dribbled to the corner closest to his own bench and tried to put up a desperation three-pointer. Bell’s shot attempt was blocked by Rice forward Dustin Calhoun sealing the victory.

Rice forward Dustin Calhoun led all scorers with 20 points. Kerens was led by junior Jody Gorden with 15 points.

Rice (18-10) advances to the bi-district round where they will meet up with Tatum at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday night at Whitehouse High School.



Rice 52, Kerens 49

Kerens 13 8 12 16 — 49

Rice 6 15 15 16 — 52

Kerens — Dedrick Tolliver 5, Cole Lancaster 6, Austin Bell 11, Jody Gorden 15, Byron Mitchell 8, Justin Brooks 2.

Rice — Chase Henderson 7, Cody Cheek 4, Nate Myers 7, Dustin Calhoun 20, Cullen Tores 8, Humberto Aguinaga 2, Jansen Allen 4.

Records — Kerens 6-6 in district, Rice 6-6 in district

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