PILOT POINT – Argyle’s game with Pilot Point went about as one would think it would on paper.

The Eagles played like the No. 2 Class 3A team in the state, and Pilot Point looked every bit like a team about to drop to Class 2A.

Argyle survived an early test from the Bearcats before running them out of their own gym in an 89-32 win over their 8-3A rivals on Friday at Pilot Point High School.

“We just have the same philosophy,” said Argyle head coach John King. “It doesn’t matter who we’re playing. We care about how we play. That’s kind of been our philosophy all year long – we focus on what we do no matter who the opponent is.”

The Eagles (31-2, 13-0) needed to subscribe to that philosophy given Pilot Point’s struggles this year. The Bearcats (4-30, 1-12) haven’t had much success after bringing back a team that had just three players returning with varsity experience.

The Bearcats tested Argyle early by jumping out to a 4-0 lead and keeping the score even as the game was tied at eight midway through the first quarter. But it was all Eagles after that.

Argyle ripped off an 18-0 run that went well into the second quarter. Pilot Point’s Michael Pelzel broke the scoreless streak with a 3-pointer, but it didn’t stop the Eagles’ offense.

The total run ended up being 32-3 and ended shortly before the first half ended and gave the Eagles a commanding lead it wouldn’t come close to relinquishing.

Turnovers plagued the Bearcats all night as Argyle’s press defense frustrated Pilot Point as it tried to bring the ball across the court. Miscues by Pilot Point also cost it as passes occasionally flew out of bounds, nowhere near any Bearcats.

“We’re averaging 19.6 turnovers year going into the game,” said Pilot Point head coach Danny Baggett. “That probably upped our average a little bit. Because of our inexperience, we’ve struggled at the point position. It’s something we’ve had a problem with.”

The second half brought only more Argyle dominance. Pilot Point managed only three points in the third quarter and Argyle led 67-20 going into the final frame.

“Our defense was solid tonight,” King said. “We forced a lot of turnovers and got a lot of easy transition points out of it. I’m pleased with the effort. Our kids played well.”

Argyle’s Caden Dickerson fueled the Eagles’ offense with 31 points. His most impressive stretch came in the fourth quarter when he knocked down three-straight 3-pointers on consecutive possessions. He was left wide open on each play and buried his shots.

Josh Drake used a quick start to finish with 21 points. Erik Katzen had 12 while Brady Brown scored eight.

Kilian Bennett was the only Bearcat to score in double digits as he finished with 13.

Argyle wraps up the regular season with a home game at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday against Sanger. Pilot Point finishes at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Bowie.

JEFF ANDREWS can be reached at 940-566-6873. His e-mail address is jandrews@dentonrc.com.

Argyle 89, Pilot Point 32

Argyle  19            23            25            22            --            89

Pilot Point            8            9            3            12            --            32

Argyle (31-2, 13-0) – Zach Pearson 2, Cory Dixon 6, Caden Dickerson 31, Carson York 2, Brandon Peck 4, Josh Drake 21, Erik Katzen 12, Brady Brown 8, Brian Hommell 3.

Pilot Point (4-30, 1-12) – Hunter Svane 2, Seth Tilley 4, Kilian Bennett 13, Michael Pelzel 8, Kyle DeJernett 3, A.J. Keesee 2.