The Rangers' defense excelled on Friday night, holding Nimitz to 26 percent from the field and 17.4 percent from three-point range as Jesuit improved to 5-1 in district play with a 57-35 win over the Vikings at Nimitz H.S. Ahead of a key district showdown against state-ranked No. 21 Highland Park, Jesuit shut out Nimitz in the second quarter to take a dominant lead into halftime, keeping the Vikings under double digits in each of the first three quarter en route to its 14th win of the season.

Sophomore Caleb Steger scored a team-leading 21 points, shooting 75 percent (8-of-12) from the field while matching senior Dylan Gibbons for the team lead with seven rebounds. Gibbons would add a team-high seven assists while senior Owen Berry and junior Hank Gramlich scored nine points apiece. Senior Charlie Needham racked up six points with four rebounds, junior Will Bronson picked up five boards and four points and senior Tai Kryger secured five rebounds of his own, helping Jesuit to a 46-25 rebounding advantage over Nimitz. 

Jesuit scored 30 points in the paint, and 10 second chance points off of 13 offensive rebounds. The Rangers finished the contest shooting 42.6 percent from the floor, and held Nimitz without a basket during a stretch that began with 2:19 left in the first quarter and lasted until the 6:28 mark of the third, a span of over 11 minutes that allowed Jesuit to take a 24-point lead early in the second half.

The Rangers will now travel south on the Dallas North Tollway for an anticipated matchup against the Scots, who also improved to 5-1 in district play on Friday following an 82-34 win over MacArthur. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Highland Park H.S. Read Full Article