Lancaster set a new Class 5A state tournament record following its 44-31 win over Amarillo in the semifinals on Thursday at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The 31 points allowed the fewest in a 5A tourney game – beating the previous mark of 33 set by Rosenberg Terry against FW Arlington Heights in 2013.
Lancaster, #1 in the final 5A state rankings, moves to 29-5 while Amarillo ends at 34-5.
The Tigers will play Killeen Ellison for the 5A title at 3 pm Saturday.
Ellison beat San Antonio Veterans Memorial on Thursday.
Lancaster last made state in 2020, but couldn’t play a game due to COVID. Prior to that, the Tigers made the tournament in 2016 when they capped off back to back championships.
Both teams struggled offensively in the first quarter as Lancaster shot 3 of 11 from the field and 0 of 4 from three. Amarillo shot 1 of 8 from the field and missed all six three-point attempts. Lancaster led 6-2 after one.
The second quarter didn’t get much better as the Tigers went into the intermission with a 13-8 lead.
Lancaster stalled on offense and held the ball near half court for 90 seconds without any pressure from the Amarillo defense. The Sandies shot 1 of 18 from three all game while missing their first 13 attempts through the first three quarters.
The offenses didn’t get going until the fourth with 23 points from Lancaster to Amarillo’s 15. Dill
4-star post Dillon Battie and Deontrell Barrett led Lancaster with 13 points apiece. Battie went 5 of 7 from the field and made all three free throw attempts. De’Meon Jones chipped in 10 points. Amarillo’s Braden Hausen scored a game-high 14 points.
Lancaster reached the tourney after winning 5A Region 2 over Frisco Lone Star and The Colony.
