Sports

The free-throw line and the offensive boards proved to be pivotal down the stretch as the Mexia girls’ basketball team held off Madisonville, 55-51, in the opening District 18-4A game at the Mexia High School gym Tuesday.

Mexia scored as many points in the first quarter as it scored in the final three quarters combined and lost 43-40 at Navasota on Tuesday night.

There is a familiarity about the way Landon Anderson plays the game of basketball. The way he glides down the court when he’s dribbling the ball. The way he gets after an opponent when playing defense. The smoothness with which he rises up and swishes a jumpshot.