Photos: Kevondre Corona leads Calvert over Trinidad in Texas 1A boys basketball playoffs
DELL VALLE, Texas - Sophomore Kevondre Corona scored 19 points and senior MJ Thomas chipped in 17 to help Calvert beat Trinidad 53-39 in the Region IV-1A boys basketball semifinals at Del Valle High School Friday night.
“It was a great game and now we have to get some rest and get our legs rested because we have a 12 o’clock tip off,” Calvert head coach Michael Thomas said.
The Trojans face McMullen County on Saturday afternoon in the Region IV-1A finals with the winner heading to the Class 1A state tournament in San Antonio next week.
Calvert (26-4) quickly built a 6-0 lead in the opening quarter behind Corona and Antonio Porter. Corona hit a free throw and his first 3-pointer of the game.
Trinidad (27-7) settled in and scored their first basket of the game as senior Umonte Grant hit a layup at the 5:30 mark. They ended the quarter on a 7-0 run on baskets by Grant and senior Julius Stevenson to give the Trojans a 10-9 edge.
Trinidad took their biggest lead of the game after senior Colton Clark hit a basket in the paint to give them a 12-9 lead. The Trojans went cold the rest of the quarter and Calvert finished on a 16-2 run to take a 25-14 halftime lead.
Trinidad only scored a pair of field goals by Stevenson and Colton Clark in the second quarter. On the other end, Thomas utilized all of his 6-foot-11 frame to account for seven of Calvert's 16 points. He played hard on the block and was also able to hit the from the perimeter.
The second half was a game of runs, with both teams matching each other in spurts. Calvert led 34-25 heading into the final quarter and the Trojans were able to open the gap. Corona utilized his uncanny quickness to get to the basket and scored six points in the frame while Thomas was held to two baskets.
Calvert took a 43-30 lead behind a basket by Thomas before Trinidad strung together a five-point run behind Stevenson and Grant. The Trojans were dealt with a big blow when Stevenson was whistled for his fifth foul with 3:42 left in the game. Stevenson, who was able to neutralize Thomas with his defense, finished with 13 points, including a pair of 3-pointers.
With Trinidad’s big inside presence gone the Trojans took advantage of the opportunity. Calvert’s Kaiden Bridges hit a pair of baskets to give the Trojans a 47-35 lead at the 2:53 mark.
Cohan Thompson and Thomas helped Calvert finish the game on a 6-0 run to secure the victory.
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