Boys basketball: Deer Park getting used to new lineup

The North Shore Mustangs haven't had a lot of success, but they have proven capable of scoring a lot of points in recent weeks, and that's the kind of team that could give Deer Park trouble.

The Deer still are learning to play with point guard Thomas Walkup, who was their leading scorer, and forward Rey Cazares. Both were injured against Port Arthur Memorial right before Christmas.

This is the Deer's last chance to work things out with their new lineup before the start of District 22-5A play Friday, Jan. 14. They open on the road at South Houston, which is a top title contender.

ABOUT THE GAME

• Matchup: Deer Park vs. North Shore

• When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11

• Where: North Shore High School gym

• What's at stake: Momentum. Both teams are putting the finishing touches on their non-district schedules before opening district play, and a win going in would be a big boost for the team that earns it. The Deer also are scrambling to find chemistry with a new lineup after losing Walkup for four to six weeks to a broken right foot.

• Deer Park players to watch: P Darian Banks, G Blaine Burke, G Reagan Corry, G Jeremy Dockan

• North Shore players to watch: F Ulyssius McGee, B.J. Coley, Brandon Etienne, Jonathan Montley

TEAM HIGHLIGHTS

• Deer Park: Walkup was averaging an eye-popping 27.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 3.2 steals per game through the Lee College Classic. He could return mid-district, but that's the most favorable outcome. It could be later. … Cazares tore his ACL and is done for the season. … The Deer managed to pull out a 61-42 win over Port Arthur Memorial after losing two of their top players thanks to Darian Banks, who had 15 points, five rebounds and four blocks against the Titans. … They played well at the Alvin Noon Lions Holiday Classic, going 3-2 with wins against Foster, Channelview and Dickinson. Banks scored 32 points in a 55-51 win over the Falcons that sent Deer Park to the silver championship game, where they lost 53-42 to Friendswood. … Cody Meek injured his wrist against Channelview and did not return to the tournament.

• North Shore: The Mustangs have lost twice to Wheatley in high-scoring contests. They dropped the first 89-86 despite 31 points from B.J. Coley and 21 from 6-foot-3 junior Ulyssius McGee. They lost the second time 94-84 in the Houston ISD tournament. Brandon Etienne had 26 points in that one, and McGee and Larry McDuffey had 24 apiece. … North Shore lost 89-87 to Fort Bend Austin in the Aldine tourney.