Pearland roundballers advance to playoffs with win over Alief Hastings

February 16, 2024

A new coach, a new season, and a new tradition began this year under the guidance of new Pearland head coach Delrick Brown.

Former head coach Steve Buckelew, who was at the helm of the Oilers basketball fortunes for 28 years, retired after last season with 830 career victories.

Brown, who played for Buckelew on the 1997-1998 team that won the 5A Region III crown and advanced to the 5A state basketball tournament, returned to Pearland where he was an assistant coach at Dawson HS.

The winsome Brown accepted the keys to the Pearland program and did a remarkable job in his first season.

The Oilers closed out last season with a 13-20 mark including 6-8 in district while staying home during the post-season.

This season, Pearland finished the regular season with a 20-14 record and 8-6 in district which was good enough for fourth place while punching their ticket to the playoffs.

The Oilers (20-14, 8-6) took care of business this week with a solid 51-31 win over the Alief Hastings Bears (4-23) to end the regular season.

Pearland joins district champion Shadow Creek, Dawson, and Alief Taylor as the teams that will represent District 23-6A.

Brown knew his roundballers were on the edge of the post-season and they controlled their own destiny with a win over the Bears who were in last place in the league standings.

The Oilers took the floor at the Pearland HS "Pressure Pit" with a single purpose and that was to beat Hastings and advance to the playoffs.

The opening quarter, led by Julian Valentine, controlled the game and score to build an early 19-10 lead.

Valentine set the pace for the game as he fired in three 3-pointers from long range while tossing in a pair of free throws for 11 points in the first frame.

Both teams scored nine points in the second period giving the Oilers a 28-19 lead at intermission.

Pearland came out hot on offense at the start of the second half and outscored the visitors 18-8 for a 46-27 advantage entering the final frame.

Neither team had much success in the final eight minutes as Hastings managed only two buckets while Pearland finished with six points to post the 51-31 final score.

Valentine paced the Oiler offense with a game-high 16 points while getting help from Orlando Hill who scored nine points.

The Oilers will open the 6A Region III bi-district playoffs against the Dickinson Gators on Tuesday, February 20 at Manvel HS at 7:00 p.m.