Somerset, TX-

                Coming out of halftime, Somerset High School held a nine point lead, 38-29, over the visiting Pleasanton Eagles. In the first sixteen minutes of action, the contest had an uncertainty as to which way things were headed.

After a JD Guerra three pointer from the right corner midway through the third quarter, the deficit was still nine points, 42-33, and Pleasanton remained within striking distance, but not for long.

Something awoke the Bulldogs, as Somerset would respond with a flurry of buckets, and a 14-0 run, capped by Matthew Soto’s three pointer to make it a 56-33 game, and essentially put the game out of reach with one minute to go in the period.

The sharp-shooting point guard would lead the attack on the night, going off for 34 points. In the oddest way possible, it seemed to be a quiet 34 points. Soto would connect on three treys, but most of his damage came from attacking, getting into the paint and then also converting at the free throw line.

“For 34 points it was an off night. He hasn’t been firing on all cylinders as of late, as far as his shot is concerned. For him to get going in that second half and finishing at the free throw line which has been an issue for all of us, was really-good,” said Somerset Head Coach Bryan Penna

Complimenting Soto was fellow senior Paul “Tre” Pullins who was a problem all night in the paint. The 6’9” big man added 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 blocks by our count. His length, height and athleticism kept the Eagles at bay most of the night, securing the lane and  cleaning the glass for an impressive double-double.

In the final quarter, Pleasanton Head Coach Ricardo Marquez, rallied his troops, as the Eagles would mount one final charge, and it was led by their full court press that caused immediate problems for the Bulldogs. Senior guard RJ Marquez would get one of those steals along the right sideline and glide in for the layup, making it a 62-50 deficit. A few possessions ensued, and then Trey Martinez would drain a three-pointer making it a 65-56 gap with 1:50 remaining. That would be the closest the Eagles would get the rest of the game.

Somerset would once again respond, this time with a 14-6 run, punctuated by Pullins’ two-handed flush as time nearly ran out, sealing the 79-62 win for the ‘Dawgs and drawing a raucous ovation from the Somerset faithful.

Marquez and Layne Dowdy would lead the Eagles, with 20 and 13 points respectively on the night.

Throughout the entire game, the atmosphere at Zecla gym was electric. Nearly a full capacity crowd on both sides of the stands, were loud, fully engaged, and not shy of being vocal. A rivalry has formed between these two area schools that sit about 25 minutes a part from each other. The intensity in the stands, certainly escalated the intensity on the floor.

“This right here was electric. This was a reminder of the Antonian game last year and how big that was. That was a double overtime game. They were number one in TAPPS versus number ten at that time in 4A. No difference! Number fourteen versus number fifteen in 4A basketball, packed sides, this is what you want to see in high school and district basketball. The scary thing is that this could be a regional finals matchup depending on how we do down the stretch,” said Penna.

The two teams split the season series, 1-1, with Pleasanton holding serve back on their homecourt earlier this month. As Penna mentioned, it wouldn’t be a surprise that these two programs meet again late in February or early March for a chance to continue on the road to the Alamodome.

Overall, Somerset moves to 19-9 (7-1) and Pleasanton falls to 24-6 (7-1), a two way tie for first place in District 29-4A.