BY MONTGOMERY BROCK, Sports Correspondent

The Palestine Wildcats defeated the Henderson Lions 62-53 on Friday night in a Class 4A Region III area playoff at Whitehouse’s Wildcat Arena.

Gee Clark led the Wildcats in scoring with 13 points including two 3-pointers. Clark was 3 for 4 from the free throw line.

Palestine improved to 18-12 and will face Mexia in the regional quarterfinal. Henderson finished its season with a 6-12 record.

The Wildcats trailed most of the first half but outscored the Lions 25-15 in the third quarter to take the lead.

Controlling possession most of the fourth quarter, Forrester Polk, Vay Davis and Dakendrick McMorris were able to battle under the basket to keep possessions alive and score points in the paint. McMorris finished 6 for 7 from the free throw stripe as well.

Palestine received scoring contributions from 10 players in the victory and made 15 of 21 free throws. Polk played strong defensively, totaling five blocks as well as eight points and nine rebounds. McMorris finished with double figures scoring 10 point while grabbing eight boards.

Trestan Ebner scored a game high 21 points for Henderson, with three 3-pointers. Lakendrick Vanzandt had an impressive game all around, finishing with 16 points, 14 rebounds, eight steals and five assists for the Lions.

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Class 4A Area Playoff

At Whitehouse’s Wildcat Arena

Palestine 62, Henderson 53

Henderson 10 11 15 17 — 53

Palestine 7 11 25 19 — 62

HENDERSON — Tre’ Boone, 5; Tariq Gray, 2; Lakendrick Vanzandt, 16; Travis Hawkins, 3; Trestan Ebner, 21; Zane Boles, 4; Kinny Harris, 2.

PALESTINE — Gee Clark, 13; C.J. Barrett, 4; Cameron Wilson, 2; Keelan Yarbrough, 4; Marquis Hernandez, 1; Vay Davis, 9; Kevin Parish, 5; Dakendrick McMorris, 10; Forrester Polk, 8; Kobe Brown, 6.

THREE POINT GOALS — H: Hawkins, Ebner (3). P: Clark (2), Parish.

RECORDS — Palestine 18-12, Henderson 6-12.

NEXT UP —Palestine vs. Mexia, TBD.