Tyler takes two from Jacksonville
Published 1:33 am Friday, January 23, 2026
Jacksonville came out as hot as the burning “J” at the Indians light at the football games at the historic Tomato Bowl on Thursday.
The Indians hit six of their first seven 3-point attempts in garnering a double-digit lead over Tyler.
Jacksonville finally cooled down a bit as the Lions’ aggressive zone defense allowed Tyler to get its offense in gear and registered a tough 46-43 District 10-5A basketball win at the Lions Den on Thursday night.
In the first game, the Lady Lions won their second consecutive game 68-22.
Both games were originally scheduled for Friday, but with possible inclement weather the schools agreed to play a day earlier.
BOYS
Tyler improved to 16-9 overall and 6-4 in district. Jville fell to 13-15 and 4-6.
The Indians were sizzling, taking a 20-12 lead after the first quarter and 28-20 at halftime.
The Lions started turning things around by outscoring Jacksonville 20-8 in the third period, taking a 40-36 advantage.
In the final quarter, things remained tight with the game going down to the wire.
Jacksonville got within 45-43 on a steal and a bucket by Jase Meza at 1:35, followed by two free throws from Ben Bolton.
The Lions had multiple changes to expand their lead and the Indians had multiple changes to take the lead.
Both teams missed changes at the free throw line as well.
With 6.6 seconds left, Keylan Bircher hit the first of two throws for a 46-43 lead. However, the Indians did not launch a shot in the final seconds.
Bircher and Jasyn Grayson led the Lions with 13 points apiece with Raykell Ford adding 12. Keylen Johnson had five points and Ja’Michael Cook had four.
Bircher, Ford and Johnson each had 3-pointers.
Grayson had nine rebounds with Johnson adding seven. Grayson had two blocks.
Bolton led the Indians with 12 points, including two 3-pointers. Others scoring were Meza (9 points, 3 3-pointers), Keanu Jackson (8 points, 2 3-pointers), Abdul Bates (6 points, 2 3-pointers), Malique Masenburge (5 points, 1 3-pointer) and Deilan Sallie (3 points, 1 3-pointer).
Jacksonville was 10 of 31 from 3-point land and Tyler was 3 of 13 from long distance.
The Indians were 4 of 6 from the free throw line and the Lions were 10 of 14.
The Indians are slated to play on Tuesday, hosting Hallsville before traveling to Texarkana to face Texas High on Friday, Jan. 30. Both games are slated to start at 7:30 p.m.
The Lions return to play on Tuesday, traveling to Lufkin before hosting Whitehouse on Friday, Jan. 30. Both games are scheduled to tipoff at 7:30 p.m.
GIRLS
Jer’Miya Rice hit for 18 points and Jazaiah Moore added 15 as the Lady Lions started fast and finished even stronger en route to the victory.
Tyler moves to 15-17 on the season and 4-8 in district, while Jacksonville, which is a different team since standout Tia Fuller left the team in December, falls to 12-13 and 3-9.
Others scoring for Tyler were Jada Brown (10), Amiyah Hawkins (6), Ryan Vega (6), Amiya Alexander (4), Ariel Johnson (4), Makayla Lewis (3) and Hailey Thompson-Swarn (2).
Brown had two 3-pointers with one each from Rice and Moore.
Chyna Reed led the Maidens with seven points, followed by Laila Johnson, Ke’Niya Rogers and Amirycal Goodwyn with four points apiece. Ta’Shiyah Johnson added three points.
Reed, Laila Johnson and Rogers each hit 3-pointers.
Tyler was 12 of 21 at the free throw line, while the Maidens were 3 of 10.
The Maidens are slated to play on Tuesday, hosting Hallsville in a 6:15 p.m. game before traveling to Texarkana to face Texas High on Friday, Jan. 30 at 6 p.m.
The Lady Lions return to play on Tuesday, traveling to Lufkin before hosting Whitehouse on Friday, Jan. 30. Both games are scheduled to tipoff at 6:15 p.m.