Paris (No.2 4A) traveled to Dallas for a non-district match against Episcopal School of Dallas. The 19-1 Wildcats were simply faster, longer and more active, and took control from the tip, taking an 11-2 lead.
The Wildcats shared the ball on the perimeter and got the ball inside to senior Jordan Embry. The 6-foot-6 forward was bouncy and made a majority of his 18 points around the rim.
At the end of the first, ESD made a dent in Paris' lead, going on a 10-4 run to maie the score 16-12, but that would be the closest margin of the game.
The Wildcats came out in the second quarter and put together a 9-0 run to increase their lead 25-12, with 6:22 on the clock. Still, ESD hung around long enough to be within striking distance headed into the break down 11, 34-23.
The second half started, and the Eagles got themselves within single digits of the Wildcats, 36-27 (5:35), but that would be short-lived. Jalon Pipkins, a junior, sparked the Wildcats with 14 out of 16 points coming in the second half. Pipkins confidence grew and the 6-foot-3 wing hit jumpers from 8-12 feet from the short corners and used his athleticism to score.
ESD forward, Blake Morrison fought hard all game and led all scorers with 21 points, but it wasn't enough. With the game out of reach, Morrison exited the game with five fouls. Paris took the game 85-50.
The Paris defense was solid all game holding ESD to just 50 points.
"Our defense was pretty good, except for a couple of times when we gave up some easy baskets early, as we were inconsistent with our trap, and players were not paying attention to what we wanted," said head Paris coach Billy Steed. "We were so sloppy on the offensive end to start that we had to play good defense."
Seven different players scored for Paris, including sophomore Josh Robinson, who lead the Wildcats with 20.
"Our off got better as the game went along, and we started scoring in transition," Steed said. "We have five guys who can really score and these players know how to share the ball."
"We play as a team and we are unselfish," said Robinson. "Any of us can go for 20 in a night, so we execute our offense and give the ball to the open man."
