The Tigers should be used to life on the road after playing in tough environments at Jacksonville and John Tyler in the last week.
That should come in handy Friday night with a chance for Corsicana to clinch a playoff spot.
The Tigers (21-9, 3-5) will play Nacogdoches (13-13, 2-6) in a game that is a must-win situation for the Dragons if they want to stay in the race for fourth place in District 16-4A (the game will broadcast in KAND-AM 1340).
Corsicana doesn’t have the same pressure — the Dragons have the tougher final regular season game Tuesday against Whitehouse while the Tigers get Lindale — but Don Newton’s team wants to get this done now.
“We’ve had good practices and we’re ready to go,” Newton said.
The Tigers should be prepared for anything away from home after playing competitive road games against 16-4A’s top two teams, Jacksonville and John Tyler.
Corsicana lost to undefeated Jacksonville 54-44 last Friday in a game that was tied late in the third quarter. The Tigers trailed at John Tyler on Tuesday night by 16 points and cut the lead to six with under a minute to go before the Lions pulled away for a 57-47 win.
“We’ve grown up more in these two losses than we have all year,” Newton said. “We’ve been extremely competitive on the road against highly touted teams. We haven’t shied away from the environment.”
Jacksonville is especially tough place to play — its an old gym and the Indians are 31-0. The Tigers never buckled against the pressure. Then they refused to quit against John Tyler.
“We’re in it,” Newton said. “We’re in it for the long haul.”
If anything, the Tigers can’t take anything for granted against Nacogdoches even knowing they played Jacksonville and John Tyler tough. Corsicana blasted the Dragons 58-32 at Tiger Gym in late January.
The Tigers’ bench had a huge effort in that win, combining to score 31 points. Alonzo Gipson had nine points. Tedrick Wilson and Ralph Watts each had eight points. Daniar Martin had five points.
So if one of the Tigers’ top scorers such as Mike Lewis, Dzifa Mallet or Ernest McGhee get in foul trouble, Corsicana should have an answer off the bench.
The troubles that pop up on the road can be dealt with by the Tigers.
“I don’t think our kids have a problem adjusting home or away,” Newton said. “Our percentages have been the same in our gym and on the road. (The Dragons) are playing for their playoff lives. I’m sure they’ll be ready.”
Sports
Related Photos
-
Ernest McGhee (15) and the Tigers play their third straight road game at 7 p.m. Friday night when they face Nacogdoches. Corsicana can clinch a playoff spot with a win. Daily Sun photo/Ron Farmer
Discussion
CHS Boys Hoops: Big game Friday night in Nacogdoches
Tigers can clinch first playoff spot in 5 years with win
- Sports
-
-
Eye on the Prize
Dave “Coach” Robertstad, an avid birdwatcher and outdoor enthusiast, could have kept his teaching focused on standard P.E. activities like kickball, dodgeball or basketball but he answered a higher calling. Instead, Coach Robertstad took it upon himself to create the OAK program alongside his standard P.E. curriculum as a means of teaching his students critical outdoor skills.
-
Shimonek wins THSBCA Home Run Derby
Mildred's Nic Shimonek played in the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association All-Star Game on Saturday. But before the game, he won the Class 1A-3A Home Run Derby.
-
GC FOOTBALL: Texas Football ranks Golden Circle teams
Texas Football magazine, which was released this week, ranked Mildred No. 10 in Class 2A and Hubbard No. 9 in Class 1A and lists Corsicana's Devontay Bell as one of the top 30 quarterbacks in the state.
-
Navarro’s Mayper named FCA Coach of Year
Navarro College football coach Brian Mayper was surpised and honored when he was named the FCA's Coach of the Year Saturday night in Waco at the FCA Super Centex Victory Bowl.
-
GC FOOTBALL: Nine players shine in FCA Super Centex Victory Bowl
Nine players from the Golden Circle area have big nights in the fifth annual Super Centex FCA Victory Bowl on Saturday night, including six players on the Blue team that ended the Red team's unbeaten streak with a 35-21 victory.
-
PHOTOS: Challenger League opening day
The Central Texas Challenger League opened play Saturday in Kerens.
-
Daily Sun announces 2013 All-Golden Circle Baseball Team
Daily Sun announces 2013 All-Golden Circle Baseball Team
-
Would you rather have the steak or the sizzle?
Daily Sun columnist Ron Morgan weighs in on the NBA Finals.
-
GC BASEBALL: Corsicana pitcher, Grounds, named All-Golden Circle MVP
Corsicana ace Holden Grounds, who went 11-1 with an 0.93 ERA with 109 strikeouts while batting .463, was named the Daily Sun's Golden Circle MVP of baseball.
-
It’s a long road back to the Lone Star state
Mike Phillips joins the Daily Sun staff as its new sports editor.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Ex-Hit Man's Past Is a Shock to Some Neighbors
Fans: Gandofini 'Put New Jersey on the Map'
Does Future of Human Race Depend on Kansas Mine?
Reining in 'Bad News' Sports Parents
James Gandolfini Dies at Age 51
Fmr. TWA Flight 800 Investigators Want New Probe
Raw: Heat, Spurs Back on Court Ahead of Game 7
Dolce and Gabbana Convicted of Tax Evasion
Paris, Prince Depositions Used in Jackson Trial
Coiffed Cattle Get Their Close-up
In Berlin, Obama Channels Cold War Activism
Police at Patriots Tight End's Home for 2nd Day
Fed Suggests Bond Purchases Could Slow
AP: DOJ Broke Own Rules Seizing Phone Records
Raw: Baby White Rhino Debuts at Australian Zoo
Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
