Oilers open up district action with a pair of wins

January 11, 2010

PEARLAND — The 2009-2010 basketball season was already special to head coach Steve Buckelew after he posted career win No. 500 over Louisiana's Huntington High School in an early season tournament. Senior Kevin Williams hit an 85-plus foot bank shot for the double overtime game winner.

This past Friday night - Buckelew, who had already received a special proclamation from Pearland Mayor Tom Reid, was honored by the home crowd and the PHS Fast Break Club. The veteran coach, who has been at the helm of the Oilers for 15 years, received a beautiful plaque for his 500th win -- a milestone that most basketball coaches rarely achieve.

In keeping with the special night - Buckelew saw his Oilers totally dominate the Sam Rayburn Texans for a 73-46 win and a 2-0 start in District 22-5A action.

After Pearland jumped out to a 10-0 lead early in the opening period, the Texans rallied to outscore the Oilers 14-9 to close the gap to 19-14 as Nemo Sanchez hit a pair of 3-pointers and a field for the visitors.

Shai Fields was the offensive star for the Oilers with a trey and two baskets while Harley Nussman and Eddie Lanier both added four points each in the first eight minutes of action.

The second quarter saw the Oilers outscore the Texans 17-8 as Pearland's defense forced numerous turnovers while Fields add another long-range shot, a short jumper, and a pair of free throws for seven more points. Kevin Williams, who scored three points in the first period, added two more baskets giving him seven points as Pearland took a solid 36-22 lead into the dressing room at the intermission.

The closest that Sam Rayburn got to the Oilers was 19-17 with 5:10 left in the second quarter as Sanchez hit two more 3-pointers for the Texans to finish the first half while 14 of the Texans 22 points.

Pearland came out running and gunning in the third quarter to outscore the Texans 28-11 as Fields continued his hot hand with seven points while Williams tossed in a 3-pointer and a pair of short jumpers. Terrell Taylor got in on the scoring barrage with his second trey and a basket while Alex Nobles and Lanier also knocked down a 3-pointer each for a 64-33 lead.

The Oilers coasted the final eight minutes to post the lopsided 73-46 final score.

Fields led the Oilers with 23 points while Williams had 14 points.

The Texans were led by Sanchez who had a 22 points including five 3-pointers.

The win now gives Buckelew 512 career victories as the Oilers improved their season mark to 14-10.

The Oilers opened up District 22-5A play with a 58-36 win over the Pasadena Eagles. The final score didn't indicate how close the game was in the first three quarters.

Pasadena led 14-11 after the first eight minutes of action while the Oilers nipped the Eagles 10-8 in the second period to trail 22-21 at halftime.

Pearland still couldn't put any distance between them and the fiesty Eagles as Pearland took the third frame 10-8 for a slim 31-30 lead entering the final quarter.

Pearland's defense and quick offense finally got in gear as the Oilers blew past the Eagles 27-6 to register the 58-36 win in the district opener for both teams.

Shai Fields led the Oilers with 22 points.

The Oilers played at La Porte (late) on Tuesday and then will travel to face Pasadena Memorial on Friday, January 15 at 7:30 p.m. South Houston will come to Pearland on Tuesday, January 19 at 7:30 p.m.

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