CJ Noland made an emphatic return to the hardwood on Saturday after sitting out most of the last three games with a broken nose.
The Class 6A No. 4-ranked Waxahachie Runnin’ Indians extended a string of games against state-ranked competition on the winning side once again, as they finished the afternoon strong and downed the formerly-undefeated 5A No. 7-ranked Amarillo Sandies, 52-43, at Mike Turner Gymnasium.
The game was tied at 33-all entering the fourth quarter, but the Runnin’ Indians (7-2) outscored Amarillo 19-10 in the final eight minutes, with Noland, an Oklahoma signee, scoring seven straight points to start the period.
Noland, making his first start since suffering a broken nose at McKinney on Dec. 5, finished the game with 21 points. V’Zarion Roberson added 11 points for the Indians, including back-to-back 3-pointers at the end of the first half and a huge trey late in the fourth to keep AHS at bay.
The Indians trailed for much of the game as Amarillo led 11-7 at the end of one and took a 22-19 lead at the break.
Demonze Woods led the Sandies (8-1) with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
The Runnin’ Indians will enjoy an extended break for Christmas and will open District 11-6A play on Thursday, Dec. 31 at 1:30 p.m. against Waco Midway at Mike Turner Gymnasium. The game was rescheduled and moved to WHS because of Midway’s COVID-19 quarantine.
