By Todd Wills
Corsicana Daily Sun
Corsicana —
The Tigers had a chance to close out their biggest win of the season Tuesday night. They learned you have to execute to get there.
Corsicana had crucial turnovers in a tight game, and it turned on the Tigers as Whitehouse pulled out a 79-74 victory in a battle of second-place teams in 16-4A at Tiger Gym.
Whitehouse moved into second place in district with a 4-2 record in 16-4A. The Tigers fell to 3-3 and in fourth place in district.
The Tigers had a 72-70 lead with 2:02 left in the game — and the ball — when things turned on them.
Mike Lewis, who had a hot hand from outside, missed a contested 3-pointer, but Jamaal Evans grabbed the rebound to save the possession. Instead of resetting the offense with the lead, Evans tried a putback that missed and Whitehouse’s Pat Mahomes grabbed the rebound and the Wildcats grabbed a victory.
Mahomes made two free throws to tie the game at 72-72. His teammate, Jake Parker, then came up with a steal at midcourt and made a layup for a 74-72 lead with 33 seconds left.
Corsicana’s execution lapsed again as Mahomes made a steal on the sideline and drove all the way for a dunk and a free throw for a 77-72 lead with :26.3 seconds left.
Mahomes had 34 points to lead the Wildcats. Jaylon Dews also had a huge game for Whitehouse with 22 points.
Lewis led Corsicana with 20 points. Ralph Watts had 12 points, including nine in the fourth quarter.
The Tigers led 34-33 at halftime and 57-56 after the third quarter.
Whitehouse 79, Corsicana 74
Whitehouse 16 17 23 23 — 79
Corsicana 17 17 23 19 — 74
Whitehouse — Patrick Mahomes 34, Jaylon Dews 22, Jake Parker 12, Chris Kunzman 2, Ryan Cheatham 4, Ty Stickley 3, Spencer Shaw 2.
Corsicana — Dzifa Mallet 13, Tim Lang 3, Mike Lewis 20, Tedrick Wilson 4, Ernest McGhee 13, Lathan Carter 2, Ralph Watts 12, Jamaal Evans 7.
Records — Whitehouse 20-7, 4-2 in 16-4A; Corsicana 21-7, 3-3.
District 16-4A Boys Stadings
District Overall
Jacksonville 6-0 29-0
Whitehouse 4-2 20-7
John Tyler 4-2 10-14
Corsicana 3-3 21-7
Nacogdoches 1-5 12-12
Lindale 0-6 9-16
Note: The top 4 teams make the playoffs
Tuesday’s Scores
Whitehouse 79, Corsicana 74
Jacksonville 48, Lindale 21
John Tyler 54, Nacogdoches 34
Friday’s Games
Corsicana at Jacksonville, 8 p.m.
Lindale at Nacogdoches, 8 p.m.
John Tyler at Whitehouse, 8 p.m.
