The Taylor Ducks varsity boys basketball team opened the season in dominant fashion, cruising to an 89–33 win over the Smithville Tigers on Friday, Nov. 21.
Sophomore guard Markell Fitzgerald led the Ducks on both ends of the floor, shooting 10-for-16 and finishing with a game-high 22 points.
He also pulled down 10 rebounds, recording the first double-double of the season.
Taylor set the tone early, racing out to a 24–4 lead in the first quarter and building on it with a 28–9 second-quarter run to take a commanding 52–13 advantage at halftime. The Ducks maintained control throughout, pushing the pace and overwhelming Smithville with strong defense and efficient shooting.
Head coach Stephen Gibson was able to empty the bench in the second half, giving several reserves valuable earlyseason minutes as the team continues to shape its rotation. Taylor closed the night with a 27–20 run to seal the win.
Senior guard Kadrien Dreary added to the scoring surge, going 7-for-9 from the field for 18 points, while senior Braylen Rivers contributed 11 points on an efficient 5-for-7 shooting performance.
As a team, Taylor shot 57% from the floor, showcasing sharp execution in its first outing of the year.
The Ducks kept rolling after the opener, defeating Caldwell 73–46 on Monday, Nov. 24. Following the Thanksgiving break, Taylor returns to action on Tuesday, Dec. 2, when it travels to Giddings for a 7:45 p.m. tipoff.
