Similar to their first two matchups this season, Jesuit Dallas and Lake Highlands battled in a physical and defensive contest in Saturday's UIL regional quarterfinal game. However, Jesuit was able to pull away from the Wildcats with a 23-point fourth quarter in reach the UIL regional semifinal for the first time since 2017 with a 55 dash 46 win at Berkner High School.
 
Senior Gavin Perryman led the charge with 23 points on 7-of-13 shooting, while senior Conor Moore racked up his third consecutive playoff double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Senior Cal Linn scored nine points while classmate Camden Roy hit one of the key buckets of the game, a three-pointer with 4:12 remaining in the third that halted a Lake Highlands run.
 
Jesuit's defense held the Wildcats in check, as Lake Highlands did not hit a three-pointer until late in the fourth quarter. Lake Highlands finished the game 3-for-17 from three-point range and 34 percent (17-of-50) from the field. The Rangers were able to turn 25 Lake Highlands fouls into the difference in the game, converting 16-of-27 shots from the free-throw line.
 
Jesuit closed out the contest with five three-pointers, shooting 41.7 percent (5-for-12) from three-point range. Holding a narrow, 34-32 rebound margin, the Rangers racked up 11 points off of 12 offensive rebounds and scored 12 points off of 10 Lake Highlands turnovers.
 
A runner in the lane by Lake Highlands' Jack Moran at the third quarter buzzer sent the game into the fourth with Jesuit clinging to a one-point lead after entering half time up six. However, the team started off the fourth quarter on a 15-4 run, holding Lake Highlands to 0-for-6 from the floor with three turnovers, while earning eight free throw attempts. The Rangers were able to keep the Wildcats at bay with nine points over the last 1:51 of the fourth, converting 6-of-11 free throws down the stretch to earn the win.
 
The victory sends Jesuit to the regional semifinal round for the first time since the 2017-18 season and provides the opportunity for the team to match the deepest postseason run in Jesuit Dallas history. Jesuit has reached the regional final on one occasion, the 2016-17 season, but have advanced to at least the third round of the playoffs in four of the last five seasons.
 
Up next for the Rangers is El Paso Americas, a talented squad that won the District 1-6A title and ended the regular season ranked 15th in the state, according to the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC). The Trail Blazers are 20-1 on the year and began their playoff run with a 47-35 win over San Angelo Central on Feb. 20. A 49-25 victory over Euless Trinity on Feb. 25 set the stage for the Blazers' regional quarterfinal matchup with Frenship, a game that Americas was able to win, 48-41, on Saturday.
 
Tip-off for the regional semifinal will take place at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 2 at Stanton High School in Stanton, Texas. The winner of Tuesday's showdown will advance to take on the winner of the other regional semifinal, which features District 4-6A champion Byron Nelson and a familiar foe in Richardson. The Eagles defeated previously unbeaten South Grand Prairie, 64-54, to earn a matchup against Byron Nelson, who edged out North Crowley, 72-70. The Eagles and Bobcats will square off on Tuesday, Mar. 2 at Rock Hill H.S.