Experienced Cardinals dominating foes early

It's very, very early in the 2008-09 basketball season, but hopefully for Sabine High School fans, the school's varsity boys basketball team is just giving a preview of what is to come.

The Cardinals, returning to the court in '08 with most of their players back from a two-round team last year, have blown by the competition so far, and at press time Saturday, the Cardinals were about to take the floor for the finals of the War Eagle Invitational Tournament in Como- Pickton against the home team.

By the way, Sabine beat Como-Pickton 74-34 on Friday night.

The Cardinals (4-0) are rolling right now under coach Tim Davis, and following the Como- Pickton tourney, Sabine hosts Carthage on Monday, a 1 p.m. freshmen start with junior varsity and varsity to follow, then hosts Hallsville on Tuesday, beginning with freshmen at 5.

Sabine outscored CP 22-5 in the first period Friday night, and led 38-19 at the half. Noah Jackson led the Cards with 19 points. Colton Kirk had 15, Tyler Woodrell 10, Zach Royce nine, Jacob Kenna eight, Joshua Montana seven, and Lie'Quan Byrd, Jerrel Chumley and Marc Cunningham two each.

Kirk had seven assists in the contest, and Byrd had a Sabine-high nine rebounds.

On Thursday, Sabine soundly defeated Prairiland, 88-33. The Cards rolled in the first half, leading 39-11 at the break, and outscored Prairiland 27-9 in the final period.

Jackson again led, finishing with 26 points, a season high. Kirk had 19, Hunter Powdrill 11, Byrd and Chumley eight each, Woodrell five, Kenna three, and Cunningham and Montana two each.

Jackson scored 12 of his 26 points in the first quarter, and Kirk had eight rebounds.

Following the Tuesday night home game against Hallsville, the Cardinals' varsity is off until Dec. 9 when they play — guess who? — Como Pickton.

The Sabine freshmen and JV teams will participate in a tournament at White Oak the weekend of Dec. 4-6, and the varsity will play in the annual Hardin-Jefferson Tournament Dec. 11-13.

The Cardinals will host their own tournament, the Last Man Standing Tournament, Dec. 18-20.

Sabine won't begin District 18-2A play until 2009, opening the district slate at home against Harleton Jan. 2.