San Marcos Falls to Judson in District Play

By Jordan Salas 

KTSW Sports Reporter

San Marcos, Texas – In a thrilling boys basketball showdown, the San Marcos Rattlers (20-8 overall, 1-2 district 27-6A) clashed with the Judson Rockets (16-10 overall, 1-2 district 27-6A) in a battle that kept fans on the edge of their seats. The game delivered intense moments and a fast-paced exchange of points that ultimately saw the Judson Rockets emerge victorious with a final score of 68-64. 

Both teams struggled to score early on, but the Rockets set the tone by striking first with a three-pointer at 6:50 in the first quarter. The Rattlers quickly responded, with senior center Ory Williams sinking two free throws which began the back and forth scoring battle. San Marcos junior guard, Josiah Hollman sank a smooth jumper late in the first quarter, which gave the Rattlers their first lead of the night, ending the first quarter with San Marcos ahead 17-14. 

The second quarter showcased the Rockets’ resilience, with Judson guard Chris Gooden Jr. hitting a huge three to tie the game at 23. Rattler guard Zyair Jolivette added to the excitement with a crowd-igniting block on a Judson fast break attempt. After a close scoring second quarter, the Judson Rockets entered halftime with a narrow lead of 36-34. 

The third quarter saw more back-and-forth action, with the Rattlers trailing by four at one point. Center Ory Williams displayed his strength with a tough layup, cutting the deficit for the Rattlers. The quarter ended dramatically as junior guard Sergio Gutierrez splashed in a buzzer-beating three, bringing the Rattlers within one point at 50-51. 

The fourth quarter intensified, featuring a three-pointer by Judson that extended their lead to seven points. The Rattlers, fueled by crafty plays and three-pointers, fought back. Despite their efforts, the Judson Rockets secured the win with a final score of 68-64. 

Player stats highlighted standout performances, with Ory Williams leading the Rattlers with 22 points, followed by Donavan Riddick with 14 points and Josiah Hollman with 10 points. For the Rockets, Joshua Martin, Chris Gooden Jr., and Gerald O’Neal contributed 17, 16, and 16 points respectively. 

You can catch San Marcos face off against New Braunfels in their next game on Tuesday, January 23 at 7:00 p.m. at New Braunfels High School. You can listen to the game on KTSW 89.9 and follow KTSW Sports for live game updates.