Plano East senior point guard Jayden Parker dribbles the ball past two Rowlett defenders on Nov. 25. Photo by Andy Redmond / C&S Media
By David Wolman
Plano East pulled away late to earn a 51-46 win over Rowlett at McMillen High School on Nov. 25.
With 10 seconds left and the Panthers clinging to a 48-46 lead, the Eagles were called for a technical foul. Plano East proceeded to ice the game from the free-throw line, and the Panthers hung on to earn the win.
It was all Plano East (4-2) to start the game.
A Luke Wasemiller 3-pointer gave the Panthers an 8-0 lead with 4:46 left in the first quarter.
Rowlett got back into the game because of gritty play at both ends of the court. The Eagles reduced their deficit to 13-8 at the end of the opening quarter and 30-28 at halftime.
The momentum shifted in the third quarter, where Rowlett rode rock-solid defense and timely offense to take the lead. But Plano East weathered the storm and went on to outscore Rowlett 15-10 in the fourth quarter to complete the rally.
Alex Brewington and Moustafa Abualneel each scored 10 points to pace Plano East. Alijah Plummer had eight points in the win.
Two days removed from a solid showing at the Coppell Cowgirls Tournament — one in which Plano East went 3-2 with wins over W.T. White, Coppell and Prosper Walnut Grove — the Lady Panthers toppled Rockwall 52-39 at home on Nov. 24.
A close game through three quarters, Plano East outscored Rockwall 17-9 in the fourth quarter to pull away.
Arianna Robinson scored 22 points to lead the way offensively for the Lady Panthers. Hailey Reed contributed 10 points in the victory.
One day later, on Nov. 25, Plano East (8-6) returned to the court for a much-anticipated nondistrict game against Class 5A’s No. 5 Frisco Wakeland.
Unfortunately for the Lady Panthers, it was all Lady Wolverines in a 63-32 home win.
Wakeland started on a 24-4 run and never looked back before cruising to the 31-point win over Plano East.
Wakeland’s Kaylei Thornton (23 points) and Charlotte Cavin (21) combined for 44 points. Robinson scored 12 for Plano East, followed by 11 from Reed.