NOLAND POURS IN 39, LEADS NO. 8 WAXAHACHIE OVER NO. 17 LEWISVILLE

By Travis M. Smith | KBEC Sports Six short days ago, CJ Noland was ill, suffering from side-effects related to an allergic reaction ahead of the Runnin’ Indians day-three push toward a tournament title in Cypress. He recovered just fine and, most likely, could’ve played in some capacity in the team’s final two tournament games if the Waxahachie coaches had allowed. Friday night, though, Noland was just downright sick on his homecourt inside Mike Turner Gymnasium in Waxahachie. The 6-foot-1 junior guard dropped a career-high 39 points on the No. 17 Lewisville Fighting Farmers during an 84-48 non-district win. The victory improved No. 8 Waxahachie to 16-3 on the season and was the Tribe’s fifth win over a top-25 6A or 5A team thus far. Noland likely would’ve likely added to his total had the game not have been well in hand by the time it flipped to the fourth quarter. Noland scored 19 points in the first half and then added 13 more in the third quarter to send Waxahachie into the final frame up 57-30. He closed out the performance with seven in the fourth. Senior point guard BJ Francis scored 13 points in support, while Jordan Davis and Chris Pace each chipped in nine. KB Jackson (6 points), Sammy Kaoud (4), AB Shorter (2) and D’Marion Callier (2) also scored for the Runnin’ Indians. Oddly enough, the Runnin’ Indians were without the services of two of their leading scorers — KB Jackson and Jalen Lake. Both were held out due to illness. The Runnin’ Indians will now enjoy an extended holiday break and return to action at home against No. 19 DeSoto on Friday, Jan. 3. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. inside Mike Turner Gymnasium.

NOLAND POURS IN 39, LEADS NO. 8 WAXAHACHIE OVER NO. 17 LEWISVILLE

Photo Credit: Kirk Holt/KBEC Sports