BROWNSVILLE — San Benito senior Chris Thrailkill weaved in the lane, drew contact, finished at the rim and converted his free throw to provide cushion for the Eagles in the fourth quarter.
Thrailkill’s bucket gave the Greyhounds a 50-36 lead with four minutes remaining in the contest. San Benito went on to win 52-49 and now hold a two-game lead on District 32-6A with the Tuesday night win at Hanna.
“We needed those buckets,” Thrailkill said. “It was a really hard-fought game. They are a well-coached team. Getting those buckets for my team and helping us win meant a lot to me.”
The Greyhounds held off a late comeback attempt from the Eagles by making just enough free throws. Other than the late flurry by Brownsville Hanna and a small run in the third quarter, the Greyhounds maintained a double-digit lead for most of the game.
“Really happy for the kids,” San Benito head coach Luis Garza said. “We have been in some really tough games the last two years, and lost some close ones, but I think we have grown a lot. It is a statement win for our kids and San Benito. Coming here and winning a game here at Hanna.”
Thrailkill led the Greyhounds in scoring with 16 points. DeAnthony Mireles had 10 points and sophomore Peter Jackson, an explosive lefty, chipped in with nine points.
Jackson’s penetration in the paint allowed for easy assists to Thrailkill and the outside shooters to help all night. Jackson, Thrailkill, Mireles and Mariano Garcia helped the Greyhounds jump out to 19-5 lead after a quarter.
“I trust my teammates,” Jackson said. “Nine times out of ten they are going to make it.”
The Greyhounds are now 4-0 in district play, an unexpected start, Garza said.
“We anticipated dropping some games,” Garza said. “I want to be realistic, but I do think we have the athleticism to compete with anybody. That is a tribute to athletic program in San Benito in general. Our athletic director and coordinator do a good job of getting our kids bigger, faster, stronger and we bank on that.”
San Benito looks to stay undefeated in district when they face Brownsville Rivera at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Rivera High School. Brownsville Hanna, now 2-2, faces Harlingen High at 7:30 p.m. in Harlingen.