EARLY – The Early Longhorns remained in the thick of the District 8-3A playoff hunt with a 41-39 home victory over Eastland Monday, a make-up game postponed earlier due to COVID-19.

Early is tied with Comanche for fourth place in the battle for the district’s final playoff seed, and the Longhorns visit the Indians in Friday night’s regular season finale.

Against Eastland, the Longhorns led 7-4 after one quarter and 18-17 at halftime, but trailed 30-28 after three periods. Early then outscored Eastland 13-9 over the final eight minutes.

Vic Cooper led the Longhorns with 17 points followed by 14 from Ethan Mitchell.

Eastland received 14 points from Gaylean and 12 from Wright.

The Longhorns host Bangs at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in their home finale. Early lost the first meeting, 54-49, on Jan. 19.