Lufkin Panther BOYS BASKETBALL 2024 - 2025 Season

[PackAttack]

Lufkin Boys basketball are leading #2 - 4A Silsbee 48-17 @ halftime @ the PAC

[PackAttack]

Lufkin Boys basketball win 96-47 over #2 - 4A Silsbee @ the PAC

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14 minutes ago, PackAttack said:

Lufkin Boys basketball win 96-47 over #2 - 4A Silsbee @ the PAC

Wow..Lufkin really has good team this year. Silsbee gave Beaumont United and Port Arthur Memorial all they could handle their last two games. 

[PackAttack]

An 8-0 run in the fourth quarter broke a 41-41 tie and Lufkin hit its free throws down the stretch to take a 54-43 win over Lake Travis on the opening day of the Pineywoods Hoopfest at Lufkin High School’s Panther Activity Center Monday night

https://lufkindailynews.com/sports/high_school/lufkin-turns-away-lake-travis/article_26ac908f-a576-5ece-a7e9-097e30c4879e.html

Brown led all scorers 21, Thomas had 14, Skinner had eight, Sanders had six, JaVarius White had three and Marcellus Parks had two.

Lufkin (6-2) will face Converse Judson at 3:05 p.m. Tuesday in Day 2 of the Hoopfest.

[timeout!]

14 hours ago, PackAttack said:

An 8-0 run in the fourth quarter broke a 41-41 tie and Lufkin hit its free throws down the stretch to take a 54-43 win over Lake Travis on the opening day of the Pineywoods Hoopfest at Lufkin High School’s Panther Activity Center Monday night

https://lufkindailynews.com/sports/high_school/lufkin-turns-away-lake-travis/article_26ac908f-a576-5ece-a7e9-097e30c4879e.html

Brown led all scorers 21, Thomas had 14, Skinner had eight, Sanders had six, JaVarius White had three and Marcellus Parks had two.

Lufkin (6-2) will face Converse Judson at 3:05 p.m. Tuesday in Day 2 of the Hoopfest.

Skinner is a nice addition and I heard he's pretty good. He had been playing for The Woodlands, before joining the Panthers this summer. He is the son of former Lufkin Panther LB Aytamian Skinner. Add in a few guys coming back from the football team for extra depth. Lufkin should have a great season.

Would've been interesting to see how we would hold up against a few of the teams in our football district. Beaumont United and Port Arthur Memorial both had trouble beating Silsbee, while Lufkin beat them by 49 points. BH is also ranked in the top 20. 
 

http://www.hudl.com/v/2NNbYZ

[PackAttack]

Austin Brown scored 21 points and put the game away with six straight fourth-quarter free throws and the Panthers fought their way to a 72-58 win over the 6A Converse Judson Rockets Tuesday afternoon.

Brown had plenty of help in a team effort in a game the Panthers never trailed. B.J. Thomas scored 10 of his 15 points after the break, JaKevion Sanders had 14 and Brycen Skinner added 10.

That allowed the Panthers to finish the Hoopfest 2-0 after Monday night’s win over Lake Travis.

Lufkin (7-2) starts district play Tuesday when it hosts Whitehouse.

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4 minutes ago, PackAttack said:

Austin Brown scored 21 points and put the game away with six straight fourth-quarter free throws and the Panthers fought their way to a 72-58 win over the 6A Converse Judson Rockets Tuesday afternoon.

Brown had plenty of help in a team effort in a game the Panthers never trailed. B.J. Thomas scored 10 of his 15 points after the break, JaKevion Sanders had 14 and Brycen Skinner added 10.

That allowed the Panthers to finish the Hoopfest 2-0 after Monday night’s win over Lake Travis.

Lufkin (7-2) starts district play Tuesday when it hosts Whitehouse.

Lufkin will probably dominate in district play. They are easily a top 15 team even though they are unranked. The voters penalized Lufkin for a couple of tough losses against ranked opponent in Dallas. But failed to reward us for the ranked teams we beat. Silsbee is still ranked #2 in 4A after starting 0-3 this year. Just seem the voting can be inconsistent. Anyway..looking forward to catching some games this year. Need something positive to wash the bad taste out of my mouth from the football season. 

[PackAttack]

2024 Texas Association of Basketball Coaches playoff picks for District 10-5A and 9-5A, who will be the 1st round opponents in the playoffs.

District 9
1. Melissa
2. Lovejoy
3. Sherman
4. Prosper Walnut Grove

District 10
1. Lufkin
2. Tyler
3. Mount Pleasant
4. Nacogdoches

[PackAttack]

With nine teams, district play starts more than a month earlier than the past two seasons for the Lufkin Panthers.

District 10-5A action gets started on the boys’ side on Tuesday with the Panthers hosting Whitehouse.

Lufkin is off to a 7-2 start, winning three straight at home including both games in the Pineywoods Hoopfest earlier this week.

https://lufkindailynews.com/sports/high_school/panthers-start-district-play-tuesday/article_ffe68737-3dda-50a0-af06-fe72954935b1.html

“It’s been good to be home and good to start district at home,” Lufkin head coach J.T. McManus said. “I feel like we’ve done everything we can to play as competitive of a schedule as we can. I feel like we’ve played some of the best teams in Texas the past three weeks and hopefully that will prepare us for our district schedule and anything beyond that we get to play.”

The Panthers opened the season with a 63-52 road win at Tyler Legacy and split four games at the Dallas Mavs Fall Classic, getting wins over San Antonio Jefferson and Keller. One of the losses was to last year’s Class 6A champ Plano East, 69-65.

A road win at A&M Consolidated was followed by a home win over Silsbee and wins over Lake Travis and Converse Judson in the Hoopfest.

“We’ve had some success and we go to these events and play against teams that make us better and that’s fortunate. We just want to capitalize on this momentum, and keep getting better little by little each day as we move forward,” McManus said.

The Panthers, led by 6-foot-8 junior and leading scorer Austin Brown, a top college recruit, have faced tough competition and a variety of defenses.

“Austin sees so many crazy defenses and people are doing special things to take him away,” McManus said. “I think over the last couple days we’ve seen how many different kids we have that can step up. It’s not a one-man show, there’s a lot of kids that are doing things and they’re open because of how they defend him.

“If we continue to do that, it’s going to make it difficult for teams to try and do stuff just to take him away.”

The Panthers will have their district opener next week followed by a tournament at Grand Oaks. They resume district play Dec. 10 at Nacogdoches.

“It’s crazy that we play one district game then go to a tournament. We really get cranked up the week after,” McManus said. “It’s difficult because you’ve got to be ready to play so early. We’re starting a month earlier than we did last year.

“It doesn’t give you as much time to work through things, which is a little frustrating. We don’t have as much time to develop these kids and bring them along. You’ve got to be ready to play.”

Teams in District 10-5A include Mt. Pleasant, Whitehouse, Tyler, Texas High, Hallsville, Marshall, Nacogdoches and Jacksonville.

 

 

 

Edwin Quarles’ email address is edwin.quarles@lufkindailynews.com.

[PackAttack]

Early season highlights:  The Panther Basketball team has been beating some very good teams. Silsbee (1-3) is still the #2 team in 4A despite losing to Lufkin 96- 47, Lufkin has also play 6 of their 9 games against 6A basketball team.  One of their two losses was 69-65 to last years State 6A Champion Plano East (8-0).  All eyes are on Austin Brown, however this team is loaded with good basketball players, you can not key on Brown without getting burned by Marcelles Parks, B J Thomas, JaKevion Sanders, Brycen Skinner or JaVarius White just to name a few. The team is loaded.

https://fan.hudl.com/usa/tx/lufkin/organization/6505/lufkin-isd-high-school/team/37601/boys-varsity-basketball

[PackAttack]

It's is a shame that Lufkin was dropped out of the Top 25 rankings last week.  They have played some tough competition and beating most of them.  I think their loss 12 point loss to good 4-5 Red Oak team in the Dallas Mavs Fall Classic gave some of those voting coaches a false negative, even after the Pack played last years 6A State Champ close, losing by 69-65 in the same tournament. Red Oak has play a tough non district  too. Lufkin has since come home to beat 4A #2 Silsbee by 50 points before defeating Lake Travis and Converse Judson by double digits, two more 6A team in the Hoopfest  this week. IMO opinion they are at least a Top 15 team in the State.

I don't have a doubt that Lufkin will win the 10-5A district although Mt Pleasant, Texas High and JT have their traditionally talented teams this year.  Looking forward to a great year of Panther basketball.  Will see how far this group can go this year. 

[MrBuddyGarrity]

With the split happening in basketball like football now the Pack got a serious chance to get to San Antonio. Having a certified stud doesn't hurt either 😁

[PackAttack]

1 hour ago, MrBuddyGarrity said:

With the split happening in basketball like football now the Pack got a serious chance to get to San Antonio. Having a certified stud doesn't hurt either 😁

6-8 Austin Brown is highly recruited, he has plenty of help this year too and next.  This team has many parts to lean on this year. Brown does not need to carry the load each and every game. Try to shut him down, then there are three or four other guys that will score on you.   Tenacious defense too.  I really like their chances to make a huge run this year. I would love to be in San Antonio in March, great weather to visit there.  To be there too on an historical day for the Alamo Ceremony March 6th. Get two for one on that trip.

[MrBuddyGarrity]

19 minutes ago, PackAttack said:

6-8 Austin Brown is highly recruited, he has plenty of help this year too and next.  This team has many parts to lean on this year. Brown does not need to carry the load each and every game. Try to shut him down, then there are three or four other guys that will score on you.   Tenacious defense too.  I really like their chances to make a huge run this year. I would love to be in San Antonio in March, great weather to visit there.  To be there too on an historical day for the Alamo Ceremony March 6th. Get two for one on that trip.

Yup! Good luck to yall this season. 

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Lufkin has several things going for it this year. Brown, Newman and Parks all enter their 3rd year on varsity. So the core of the team has plenty of experience. As already mention, having an 4 star player(prob 5 next year) in Brown really give Lufkin a chance. You need a guy like that in basketball that can just take over a game. 

Coach Mac has done a great job developing this group. Playing a hard schedule the last two years will payoff down the line. I thought we had really group Brown freshman year alongside Brandon Walker and Moody. The problem is being matched up with those DFW schools come playoffs. The speed and physical play of those teams bothered Lufkin. Plus the refs let a lot stuff go. I think our program has finally turned a corner and know how you got to play teams like that. We also have the defensive mentality to match that type of play. 

I think Lufkin has a great shot at the regional tournament. Maybe San Antonio if everything lines up just right. 

[PackAttack]

I honestly do not understand how Lufkin is not in the Top 25 of the 5A coaches poll, base on ghe schedule they have played, good teams they have beat or played close. SMH

The 5A DI playoffs could be favorable for Lufkin.

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12 minutes ago, PackAttack said:

I honestly do not understand how Lufkin is not in the Top 25 of the 5A coaches poll, base on ghe schedule they have played, good teams they have beat or played close. SMH

The 5A DI playoffs could be favorable for Lufkin.

I think the loss against Red Oak is what did it. Like they were looking for a reason to drop us. Several other teams with multiple losses that didn't fall out of the top 25. Lufkin will make some noise come playoff time. This team is really good and has all the parts to make a run. 

[PackAttack]

[PackAttack]

Do not forget Lufkin Basketball has double header district games tonight at the PAC with the Lady Pack playing @ 6:15 PM and the Boys tipping off at 7:30 PM.

New Rankings came out on Monday and the 7-2 Lufkin Panthers are again not in the Top 25 of the TABC poll.  Evidently that loss the Red Oak sticks in their minds too much.  In fact not a single East Texas team are ranked in the 5A Top 25.

As I always say, they will prove it on the court and it will be hard not to notice them as the season progresses.  Go Pack!

[PackAttack]

Just a reminder of the new 10-5A Basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, soccer and track district the next two years.  There is also a change in the playoffs starting this year where there will be Division I and Division II playoff pairings. The top four teams from each district still make the playoffs, the top two enrollments would go to Division I playoffs and the two with lesser enrollment would play in the Division II playoffs.  Lufkin has the largest enrollment i 10-5A so they would play in Division I. Some teams in Div I would be Red Oak, Frisco Heritage, McKinney North, Sherman, Lucas Lovejoy and Melissa.

 

[PackAttack]

Current 5A Boys Basketball Rankings - 12/2/24 - Region II teams in BOLD.

Class 5A

1. FB Marshall (10-1)
2. Mans Summit (6-1)
3. CC Veterans Memorial (10-0)
4. Bmt West Brook (3-1)
5. K Ellison (6-1)
6. Barbers Hill (7-3)
7. Bmt United (5-1)
8. SA Wagner (10-4)
9. Iowa Colony (7-5)
10. The Colony (6-5)
11. Highland Park (3-3)
12. EP Chapin (8-0)
13. Friendswood (8-2)
14. SA Jay (13-1)
15. Birdville (9-1)
16. Frisco Memorial (7-2)
17. PA Memorial (4-2)
18. Mans Timberview (8-3)
19. Dallas White (4-3)
20. Walnut Grove (9-5)
21. Amarillo (11-3)
22. Frisco Heritage (11-2)
23. Leander (5-0)
24. B Champion (7-1)
25. Red Oak (4-5)

[PackAttack]

Current W-L records in District 10-5A Boys Basketball.  Enrollment numbers listed to the far right.  Lufkin, Tyler High, Texas High and  Nacogdoches have the largest enrollment in the district. 

Mt. Pleasant	0-0	0.000	0	0	7-1	(1562)
Lufkin	0-0	0.000	0	0	7-2	(2159)
Hallsville	0-0	0.000	0	0	6-3	(1492)
Tyler	0-0	0.000	0	0	5-3	(2101)
Texas High	0-0	0.000	0	0	5-3	(1826)
Whitehouse	0-0	0.000	0	0	3-2	(1477)
Marshall	0-0	0.000	0	0	2-2	(1498
Nacogdoches	0-0	0.000	0	0	2-3	(1818)
Jacksonville	0-0	0.000	0	0	2-6	(1391)

 

[PackAttack]

Lufkin boys win  67-16 over Whitehouse at the PAC. The Panthers start district 1-0 and 8-2 on the year. 

Brown led the Panthers with 17 points, Sanders had 12, Parks added 10, White had eight, C.J. Burse and Skinner had five apiece, B.J. Thomas and Da’Lynn Newman had four each and Jakevon Moore had two.

Lufkin (8-2) will play in the Grand Oaks tournament Thursday through Saturday and will resume district play at Nacogdoches on Tuesday.

The Panthers will play Bryan at 10 a.m. Thursday, Porter at 4 p.m. Thursday and Klein Collins at 10 a.m. Friday in pool play at the Grand Oaks tournament.

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Any info on the teams participating in the Grand Oaks Tournament? I can't find a list anywhere online. 

[PackAttack]

The Panthers will play Bryan at 10 a.m. Thursday, Porter at 4 p.m. Thursday and Klein Collins at 10 a.m. Friday in pool play at the Grand Oaks tournament.