Published: December 29, 2008 11:58 pm      

Dogs roll against Leggett, Diboll

New Waverly dominates in opening games of Lufkin tournament

The Bulldogs were looking forward to the Christmas break to get some well-needed rest and after a pair of blowout victories, that just might be the right recipe for third-ranked New Waverly.

New Waverly (10-3) routed Leggett 74-54 on Monday morning and blew out Diboll 83-53 later in the evening to advance further in the winner’s bracket at the Lufkin tournament.

“I think we’re getting better,” New Waverly head coach Bill Goffney said. “There’s more spring in our step.”

In the nightcap, New Waverly took on Diboll, a team the Bulldogs defeated 80-59 on Dec. 16. This time around would prove to be no different.

The Bulldogs ran all over Diboll taking a 41-19 lead at halftime and coasted until the final buzzer.

Junior X’Zavious Harrison led the Bulldogs with 24 points. Junior Kyren Watts tallied 18 points. Senior Joseph Carrington added 12.

“We hit some shots early on,” Goffney said. “Our defense forced a lot of turnovers.

“We’re starting to do some things well, but there’s also things we’re not doing well. We still don’t have the intensity yet. But I’ll take the win.”

New Waverly pounded Leggett in the earlier game to reach the second round.

The Bulldogs had four players in double digits.

Kyren Watts led New Waverly with 19. Tyren Watts scored 13. Carrington and Sir. Horace Saulsberry chipped in 12.

“We came out pretty good,” Goffney said. “We set the tone early. We were up 15 most of the game. That gave us a chance to play everybody.

“We’re starting to find our rhythm now. We just need to concentrate better on defense.”

The Bulldogs will square off against Anahuac in a third-round game. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.