On Friday, January 22, the Judson Rockets (14-2) faced against the New Braunfels Unicorns (16-3) in their annual district match up.

Senior Davion Wilson started off the game with an easy layup. Two minutes into the game, the players were trading the ball back and forth until the Unicorns finally made the first basket. After some mistakes, the Unicorns brought up the score to 11-4. The Unicorns then fouled senior Stacey Adams, causing him to get to the free-throw line, making the score 11-14 with the Unicorns still in the lead. After another minute of back and forth play, sophomore Johnny Bowens made a steal, followed by another layup, holding the score close but with the Unicorns still in the lead, 14-17. The Unicorns turned the ball back over to Judson when a player stepped out of bounds. Senior Brix Baylor made a free throw shot, ending the first quarter with the Unicorns up, 16-17.

Wilson started the second quarter with back to back shots. The Rockets kept their defense tight until the Unicorns managed to push through scoring their first basket of the second quarter. Both teams went back and forth, scoring consistently. With only three minutes left, the Rockets and Unicorns were both tied 24-24 until junior Mason Wallace scored two three-point shots, holding the score 30-25, Rockets with 1:20 seconds left. Senior Anariss Brandon was fouled while scouring a half-court buzzer-beater, which led to some confusion on the court before both teams retreated to the locker room with Judson up, 33-27. 

The third quarter started quickly with the Unicorns scoring the first basket of the third. The Rockets then followed with a three-pointer by Tamez. Shortly after, Wilson scored a basket followed by a point from a free throw line. After a few more scored points from both teams, the Rockets lead 44-35. A critical block from sophomore Donovan Gomez led to an easy lay-up with an assist from Wallace. After an intense minute of back to back defense, the third quarter ended with the Rockets still in the lead 51-42.

After many mental mistakes by the Rockets in the fourth, the Unicorns managed to slightly catch up. Shortly after, both the Rockets and Unicorns went into an intense battle of scoring back and forth. Both teams kept their defense tight. However, the Rockets put their heart on the court and pushed through. Brandon showed out by scoring consistently to help lead the Rockets to victory, 70-59.

The Rockets (15-2) will face SouthSan (11-6) this week at Judson. 

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