The Brownfield Cubs took on Dimmitt last night in a classic 3A matchup that would determine who would win the District 3-3A Title. Both programs have a storied history, and by the end of the fourth period, only one could claim a district championship. The Cubs did just that winning 65-49 and earning their first district championship since 2016 when the Cubs won the 3A State Title.
According to the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC) Brownfield was to finish third behind Littlefield and Dimmitt was to take first. However the Cubs saw it differently, and so did first year and hometown Coach Zayne McPherson, as they took the district by the horns and played against adversity and with great pride.
In the 1st period the Cubs were plagued by turnovers. Dimmitt would strike first with 8:15 on the clock and at the 6:45 mark they would be up 4-0. The Cubs would finally get on the board when Jaden Martinez would get 2 points, however after more turnovers, the Bobcats would go on a 6-0 run bringing the score 10-2. Pete Marroquin would get a layup with the score now 10-4. Coach McPherson would take a timeout at the 2:48 mark. After that Kyle Suarez hit a 3-pointer bringing the score 10-7 in the Bobcats favor. Next, Dimmitt would get 2 more points and a 3. Then at the 30 second mark, Jaden would match Dimmitt’s 3-pointer with his own, bringing the score at the end of the 1st period to 15-10 in favor of the Bobcats.
In the 2nd period it became much different for the Cubs as they ended up out scoring the Bobcats 22-15. The Cubs would come alive when Jaden knocked down another 3-pointer at the 7:20 mark, then comeback at the 6:08 mark adding another 3-pointer with the Cubs taking the lead for first time of the night 16-15. With a turnover from Dimmitt, Suarez would shoot a three, and miss, but Pete was there under the basket for a put back. Dimmitt would score 2, but Pete would strike again, this time with a 3-pointer at the 4:30 mark. The Cubs would lead 21-17. Dimmitt though would match the 3 with their own and make the score now 21-20 with the Cubs ahead. The Cubs would score 2 more and Dimmitt would get 4 and take the lead 27-26. At the 1:47 mark Pete would get another put back adding 2 more to the score and the Cubs taking the lead again 28-27. The Bobcats had another turnover and Pete got another 2 under the basket. As the Bobcats brought the ball down court, Dimmitt’s #23 would try a 3-pointer with Nikko Vela fouling and that allowed #23 to go to the charity stripe and make all three points and tying the game 30 all . However Jaden was able to get a basket right before halftime with the Cubs leading 32-30
In the 3rd the Bobcats came out swinging at the beginning tying the game 32-32 with 7:45 on the clock. That did not deter the Cubs, as Jaden went down court a lofted a 3-pointer at the 7:28 mark. Dimmitt would turn the ball over and Jaden would get fouled going up for a layup, getting the 2 points plus the extra point from the line. The Cubs would go on an 11-0 run from when Jaden busted the 3 at 7:28. At 4:50 the Bobcats would finally score. Kyle would get the layup shot plus a foul shot to make a three point play the old fashion way. Brownfield would lead 50-36 at the end of the 3rd.
Early in the 4th the Cubs would again become plagued with turnovers allowing the Bobcats to go on a 7-0 run closing the gap 50-43, still in favor of Brownfield. Suarez would get fouled with his 2 points, but would miss the third point from the line. The Cubs added two more to the board and both teams would trade shots, however the Cubs became too much for the Bobcats winning and outscored them 15-13 in the 4th winning 65-49.
The Cubs were led by Jaden Martinez with 32 points, Pete Marroquin followed with 16 points, and Kyle Suarez with 14 points. The Cubs will take on the fourth place team out of District 4-3A next week with team, date, and time to be determined.
