Lancaster edges Woodrow Wilson

Forney - Texas A&M signee T.J. Starks bullied his way to a game-high 27 points and fellow teammate Zaire Toombs scored 14 of his own as the Lancaster Tigers move to their next opponent in the race for their third straight state title.

Lancaster took down Dallas Woodrow Wilson 55-49 at Forney High School Friday night. Lancaster took a nine-point lead into halftime, 29-20 and had to withstand a late push by Woodrow as they came within two points of the Tigers lead 46-44, with 4:30 minutes left in the game.

The game was sealed by Tigers senior post player Zaire Toombs who hit two free-throws to make the score 48-44 and then threw down an alley-oop to give the Tigers all the scoring they needed, 50-44.

"The last part of the game was about being mentality tough," said Toombs. "Our defense led to my scoring and coach (Ferrin) Douglas stressed to us that we would get chances on offense if we get the defensive stops."

The Tigers finished third in arguably the state's toughest district in 5A, and T.J. Starks and the rest of the team pulled from the experience of this season.

"Coach [Douglas] had us prepared and talked to us about staying focus," Starks said. "We knew what we had to do and we did it."

Starks is a top 10 player in the state and the 6-foot-1 guard stayed within his game and penetrated past the Woodrow Wilson defenders.

"I continued to do what I have all year, and that's get to the basket. We practice on the dribble drive every day, and I don't feel like anyone could stop me."

On Monday, Lancaster will face Mansfield Timberview who took both games in district 10. However, Starks believe that the Tigers are an entirely different team since the last time they met Timberview in early February.

"Things are different, and we are ready," Starks said. "Last time we played, they got us good, but our defense is much better now. They say it's hard to beat someone three times, so we are ready to get one on Monday."

John Pereira of Woodrow was the player other than Starks and Toombs to reach double -figures. The 6-foot-6 sophomore was impressive with his energy and ability to hang in the paint and score.