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ANDREW SALMI andrew.salmi@granitemedia partners.com
The Taylor High School boys varsity basketball team picked up a pivotal 76-54 district victory Tuesday, Jan. 30 at home over Giddings High School.
With senior leading scorer Treos Richardson inactive on the night, the Ducks hung around against the Buffaloes in the first half but made their mark down the stretch of the second half. Facing a 35-34 deficit at halftime, Taylor kicked it into gear with a 19-8 run in the third quarter and dominated the fourth quarter.
Ducks junior Eli Laurence had his best game of the season for Taylor as he led all scorers with a game-high 31 points, three shots made from behind the arc, six rebounds, five blocks and four steals against Giddings.
Taylor junior Kylon Harris also scored in double figures with 11 points on a trio of three-pointers, three rebounds, two assists and two steals. Fellow junior Harrison Tate added nine points to go along with four rebounds and three steals, while junior T.J.
Whybrew had eight points, five rebounds, five rebounds, three assists and three steals. Taylor (10-16 overall, 5-3 district record) under Head Coach Stephen Gibson is scheduled Feb. 2 to host Caldwell High School for senior night and travel Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. for another 4A-District 22 game at Smithville High School.
