Ector, Texas -- The first game of the 2021 Ector Holiday Tournament was a nail-biter with the hometown Ector Eagles edging the Whitewright Tigers, 48-47, on a bank shot by Ector senior Emory Cooper with 5.9 seconds on the clock.

The Eagles seemed to put the game away with a 15-0 run in the second period to go up 30-16 at halftime.

Whitewright's outside shooting helped the Tigers chip away at the Ector lead until Whitewright pulled in front, 42-40, late in the fourth quarter.

Ector junior Brent Bailey knocked down a key triple, but the score was tied 46-46 when Cooper went up strong inside for the game-winning shot in the final seconds.

Whitewright had one final opportunity when a three-point shooter was fouled, but only one free throw went in, giving Ector an exciting 48-47 win.

The Eagles will be back on the court at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday to take on Tom Bean.

photos by Allen Rich