High school basketball: Duncanville gets revenge in critical District 11-6A showdown
LANCASTER — The Duncanville Panthers seized control of the District 11-6A race on Friday night, defeating the Lancaster Tigers 59-46 at Tiger Coliseum to avenge a stingy loss from earlier this month.
With the victory, Duncanville (16-6) moves to a 7-1 record in district play, breaking a tie atop the standings and pushing one game ahead of Lancaster (15-10). The win serves as a direct response to the Tigers’ 66-59 victory over Duncanville on Jan. 6, a result that had shaken up the hierarchy of the “District of Doom.”
Despite the decisive final score, the game did not start favorably for the visiting Panthers. Lancaster opened the contest with a 6-0 run, feeding off the energy of the home crowd and threatening to replicate their previous success. However, Duncanville’s defense clamped down, allowing them to claw back and take a narrow 24-20 lead into halftime.
The second half proved to be the difference-maker, as Duncanville found its rhythm from beyond the arc. The Panthers rained down multiple 3-pointers to extend their lead, hitting eight shots from deep over the course of the game. Efficiency at the charity stripe also played a crucial role, with the team connecting on 13 of 14 free throw attempts to stave off any Lancaster comeback attempts.
Offensively, it was a balanced effort rather than a one-man show. Nine different players scored for Duncanville, led by junior Christopher Hunt Jr. and senior Jordan Brooks, who each tallied nine points. While critics might point to the lack of a double-digit scorer as a sign of offensive struggle, the spread-out scoring highlighted the depth of the defending 6A Division I state champions.
Lancaster, the 2024 5A state champion, remains a formidable contender despite the setback. Both programs are currently ranked inside the top 10 of the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches poll, with Duncanville at No. 6 and Lancaster at No. 9.
The win places Duncanville in the driver’s seat for the district title, but the rigorous 11-6A schedule offers little reprieve. With tough matchups remaining, including games against other state-ranked opponents, the Panthers must maintain this defensive intensity to close out the season on top.
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