KOUNTZE — Never quite able to overcome a slow start, the Orangefield Bobcats fell short to the Shepherd Pirates 51-36 in the Class 4A Region III bidistrict playoffs at Kountze High School Tuesday night.

The 21-4A champion Pirates (23-8), outscored the Bobcats (17-17) 9-4 in the first quarter and took a 21-14 lead into intermission.

The Pirates were able to put the game almost out of reach in the third quarter as they went on to outscore the Bobcats 15-7 in the third to take a commanding 36-21 edge.

The Bobcats, the fourth-place team out of 22-4A, matched the Pirates point for point in the fourth quarter but could not cut into the deficit.

Aven Lathrop led the Bobcat offense with 12 points as he buried two three-pointers on the night.

Zach Dischler chimed in with 10 points to go along with six rebounds. Tyrone Waggoner tallied six points and snared seven rebounds. Alex Catt contributed five points, nine rebounds and four assists while Dylan Williams swiped three steals.

The Bobcats were able to make the playoffs in Coach Jake McDonald’s first season as head coach, winning their last three games to make the postseason.