Advertisement

sportsHigh School Sports

With Shaka Smart watching, Plano West survives late scare from Keller, 64-59

By Grant McKinley/Special Contributor

DUNCANVILLE - Senior guard Michael McGraw scored 31 points and Plano West High School made enough free throws to survive a furious comeback from Keller High School, winning 64-59 Saturday afternoon at Sandra Meadows Memorial Arena.

"We stopped executing thinking the game was over. I had to tell the guys, you could be up 20, 25 points. Game isn't over," Plano West boys basketball head coach Anthony Morgan said. "With a young, inexperienced group, we just have to work through some things and execute from start to finish."

Advertisement

Plano West is without 11 seniors from last year's UIL Class 6A State boys state basketball championship winning team, making matters difficult in late game situations like Saturday's contest against Keller.

High School Sports

The latest news, analysis, predictions and more for each season.

Or with:

Plano West led 40-24 at halftime, but after a tip-in from junior guard R.J. Nembhard, Keller was within single digits, trailing by seven to begin the fourth quarter.

Keller made it a one possession game with 2:07 remaining when senior forward Nolan Taylor scored on a turnaround jumper in the post, but Plano West responded by finding McGraw wide open on the left wing for a 3-pointer.

Advertisement

"It's a shooters game. Any way you look at it, it's a shooters game and he can shoot the ball extremely well," Morgan said.

Nembhard brought Keller back within three with a 3-pointer from the left corner, but the game turned to the free throw line where Plano West went 2-4 in the last 30 seconds.