Junior Kole Hearne turned in one of his best career performances with 21 points to lead the Salado Eagles past the Hempstead Bobcats in the Area round of the 2A basketball playoffs. The Eagles will face the winner of the Academy-Marlin matchup in the Regiona Quarterfinal round.

The Eagles had trouble with Hempstead’s powerful post Fred Tompkins, who scored 28 points in the game including the first two for the Bobcats to tie the game at 2-2. The Eagles then went on an 11-point run over the next five minutes and held on to lead 19-10 at the end of the first quarter.
The Eagles defense never let the Bobcats get closer than 5 points over the rest of the game. Salado led by 15 at the half, 42-27.
At the end of the third, Salado held a 21-point margin, 64-43.
In a game that was more than a little aggressively played on both sides, the teams combined for 40 fouls. Salado committed 16 and Hempstead 24. The Eagles converted the opportunities into 25 points on 35 attempts. Hempstead converted 13 of their 17 attempts.
Hankamer followed Hearne, scoring 17 points.
Heiner had a terrific night, scoring 16 points while Tyler Ramthun had 12 points and 8 rebounds.
Preston Rosebrock scored 10 points and Kase Spears added 4 points.
Scoring for the Bobcasts were these: Tompkins, 28 points, Demario Perez, 17 points, Will Smith, 4 points, Deondre Lee and Ko’Dirrus Boulds, 3 points each and Adam Banks 2 points.