The Sulphur boys suffered two tough losses last week, as the Dogs fell 65-49 at Lone Grove on Tuesday and 55-39 on Friday at Kingston.
Sulphur will be at Plainview on Friday for districts, as the postseason begins.
“Our guys continue to work hard every day and are playing well in stretches,” said Bates. “Hopefully we can keep improving and put together our best basketball as the playoffs begin.”
LONE GROVE 65, SULPHUR 49
Sulphur continues to search for a four quarter game, as a big 2nd quarter push before half put Lone Grove in front for good.
After leading 14-13 after a quarter, Lone Grove outscored the Dogs 22-10 in the 2nd to take a 35-24 lead into the half.
Sulphur battled in the 3rd. pulling to within single digits at 39-30.
The Dogs had it to six early in the 4th, trailing just 47-41.
But Lone Grove went on an 8-2 run to push it back to 12 and closed the game out from there.
Lone Grove shot 53% from the field to Sulphur’s 41% in the game.
The Longhorns were 18-of-21 (86%) from the line, while Sulphur was just 8-of-11 (72%).
Lone Grove had a 30-18 advantage in the paint and a 27-18 edge on the glass.
Sulphur had 13 points off 11 turnovers in the loss.
Devin Willis led the way for the Dogs with 17 points and seven boards on 7-of-12 shooting.
Bridge Barrett had 15 points and two assists on 6-of-11 from the floor. Trace Todd finished with 10 points and two rebounds for the Dogs.
KINGSTON 55, SULPHUR 39
After a solid start, Kingston pulled in front and was in control the rest of the way last Friday night.
Sulphur led 13-12 after a quarter, but Kingston took the lead in the 2nd and led 25-21 at half.
The Dogs kept things close through the 3rd, trailing just 40-34. But Kingston opened the 4th with an 8-2 run that put the Redskins up double digits late in the game.
Kingston shot 48% from the floor, while Sulphur managed just 31%. The Dogs did make 8-of-23 (35%) from three. Kingston led in most categories, including rebounding (30-17), points off turnovers (14-6), points in the paint (30-8) and second chance points (10-2).
Barrett had 12 points, three boards and three assists to lead the Dogs. Willis had nine, while Colten Cole had a nice game with eight points, including a 2-of-2 showing from three.
Todd had six points on 2-of-4 from three.
