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Wylie sophomore Noah Dzurenko (14) passes the ball to senior guard Theo Allen during the Pirates’ 70-46 home win over Rowlett on Feb. 2. Photo by Elijah Kloepping / C&S Media

By David Wolman

sports@csmediatexas.com

The race for the District 9-6A boys basketball title is going down to the wire and will likely be decided next week during the final week of the regular season.

Despite a minor setback Friday — a 66-65 double-overtime loss to Lakeview Centennial — Wylie remains in the driver’s seat for the district crown. The Pirates (19-11 overall, 10-3 District 9-6A), who are seeking a second consecutive district championship, entered this week one game ahead of Sachse (9-4), Wylie East (9-5) and two ahead of Rowlett (8-5) and Naaman Forest (8-6).

Friday’s loss snapped a four-game winning streak for Wylie.

The Pirates led 27-23 at halftime and 42-39 at the end of the third quarter before Lakeview Centennial used a 13-10 fourth-quarter run to force overtime. Both teams scored eight points in the first overtime, while the Patriots outscored Wylie 6-5 in the second overtime to secure the victory.

Darian Romano led Wylie with 19 points, followed by Theo Allen with 16, Tre Pierce with 15, Henry Stark with nine and Noah Dzurenko with six.

Wylie had the opportunity to create separation from Wylie East this week, as the two teams met for the second and final time Tuesday at the Williams Center. The final score was unavailable at press time. The Pirates will play at North Garland on Friday before closing the regular season next Tuesday at the Montgomery Center against Sachse.

On the girls side, the District 9-6A title has already been decided.

Wylie clinched the outright district championship last week and had the opportunity to complete a perfect run through district play. A win against Wylie East on Tuesday would have secured a 16-0 district record for the state-ranked Lady Pirates, who were No. 22 in last week’s Class 6A Texas Association of Basketball Coaches poll. The final score was unavailable at press time.

Last Friday, Wylie defeated Lakeview Centennial 45-35 to extend its district winning streak to 15 games.

After holding a narrow 14-13 lead at the end of the first quarter, the Lady Pirates outscored the Lady Patriots 22-10 over the second and third quarters to pull away.

Sade Mathes led a balanced scoring effort with 13 points, followed by Aubrey Green with 11, Ronelyse Hartfield with eight, Simi Shodunke and Skylar Harvey with four apiece, Addison Montgomery with three and Maryam Nofal with two.

Wylie entered this week three games ahead of both Sachse (12-3) and Wylie East (12-3) in the district standings and four games ahead of Lakeview Centennial (11-5).