Rangers Split Week in Return to District Play
After capturing the consolation crown at the In-and-Out Burger Allen Holiday Invitational, Jesuit returned to the hardwood for a pair of University Interscholastic League (UIL) District 9-6A contests last week. Two last-second free-throws by junior Michael Jankovich lifted the Rangers past J.J. Pearce, 67-65, on Tuesday, January 3. Senior Mitch Prendergast scored a team-high 19 points to usher Jesuit past the Mustangs. A snow delay pushed Friday's bout against Lake Highlands to Saturday, and the Wildcats responded by handing Jesuit a 53-49 loss at home. Over the two games, Jesuit 26.8 percent from three-point range and forced 19 turnovers per game, but allowed opponents to shoot 50.5 percent from the floor.
 
Guard Play Paving Way to Success
Jesuit will play in its 20th game this season on Tuesday, and the Ranger guards have impressed during the opening portion of the season, making 9.3 three-pointers per game. Junior Marcus Hill currently leads the team with 42 made shots behind the arc, but four Jesuit players have made 35 or more three-pointers on the season, including 38 from junior Michael Jankovich and 37 apiece from Prendergast and sophomore Max Abmas. In comparison, opponents have yet to hit more than nine threes against the Jesuit defense, shooting 31.7 against the Rangers this season.
 
Make the Best of a Second Chance
The Rangers have averaged 10.4 second chance points per game this season, including double digit performances in three of their last five. One key component has been the Rangers' forward group of seniors Alan Garcia, Jeff Grimes and Jacob Palisch, who each have over 25 offensive boards so far this year. Complimented by the team's 15.4 points off of turnovers per game, the Rangers can attribute a heavy amount of its +6.7-point average scoring margin to specialty points this year.
 
Scouting W.T. White
Owning a 5-14 mark heading into Tuesday, the Longhorns are searching for their first district win after dropping three straight to start the 9-6A season. Most recently, 15 points by Andrey Taylor fell short in an 82-52 setback to J.J. Pearce on Saturday. Eric Cook scored 25 points in a 72-62 loss to Coppell last Tuesday, and the Longhorns fell to Skyline, 69-30, in their December district opener.
 
Up Next
The Rangers will travel to Berkner High School to battle the Rams on Friday, January 13 at 7:30 p.m. The two squads met in non-district action on Thursday, January 29, a 60-47 Jesuit Dallas victory in the Allen Invitational Consolation Championship.