By SCOTT REESE WILLEY

Hometown Press

For the second time this season, the Anahuac Panthers led the East Chambers Bucs only to lose in the waning moments of the game.

The Buccaneers edged the Panthers 57-52 in their second and final match-up of the season last Friday. 

The win secures a first-place spot for the Bucs going into their last district game of the season against Hardin.

Had East Chambers lost against the Panthers, the Bucs would have been in a three-way tie for first place in district with Kountze and Anahuac.

After Friday’s game, the Panthers ranked third in district behind Kountze.East Chambers had to defeat Hardin on Tuesday to be sole champions in District 24-2A.

A loss to Hardin would mean the Bucs would share the district crown.East Chambers’ Hank Jones put the first point on the board — a free throw — during last Friday’s match-up against cross-county rivals Anahuac.

Austen Gilfillian added a bucket moments later to increase the Bucs’ lead to 3-0. Dallas Gibson contributed a three-pointer and Adam Davis contributed two free throws to boost EC’s lead to 8-2 within minutes of the game’s start. Kevin Carr added a free throw, Xavier Broussard put up five points in a row and Glenn Roberts added a bucket to extend the Buccaneers’ lead to 16-7 midway through the first period of play. Gilfillian added a bucket right before the buzzer to give EC a commanding 18-11 lead going into the second period of play.

Anahuac returned from their break a different team, and outscored the Bucs in the second period 29-15 to end the half leading 41-33.East Chambers returned from halftime reinvigorated, and their agressive man-on-man defense helped the Bucs retake the lead going into the final period of play. As with their first match-up last month, the Bucs pounded the Panthers in the final period of play. T

hanks to some good shooting by Roberts, Gilfillian and Davis in the opening minutes of the period, the Bucs slowly clawed their way past Anahuac until East Chambers lead 50-45 with less than three minutes on the clock.The Panthers never gave up and rallied to close the scoring to two baskets with two minutes showing on the clock.East Chambers wouldn’t be denied the victory, though, and seven points on the board in the last two minute of the game while Anahuac managed to put nine points on the board.Gilfillian led the scoring for the Bucs with 14 points, followed by Davis with 13 and Roberts with 11.

Jones contributed eight points and Broussard added five. Dallas Gibson and Kevin Carr each put three points on the board.