Burges Rolls Past Hanks in Boys Basketball Playoffs

Mustangs advance to area round with 86-81 victory over Knights

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Burges boys basketball team defeated Hanks 86-81 in the Class 5A Division II bidistrict playoffs, advancing to the area round where they will face Amarillo Palo Duro. Burges used a 22-2 run in the first quarter to pull away, with Jojo Thomas hitting a pair of 3-pointers during the decisive stretch.

Why it matters

The win keeps Burges' playoff run alive as they look to make a deep postseason push, while Hanks' season comes to an end after a hard-fought effort. The matchup between the two El Paso teams provided an entertaining high-scoring affair for local basketball fans.

The details

Burges struggled early but found its groove late in the first quarter, scoring 14 unanswered points in the final 2:18 to take a 32-12 lead. Hanks battled back and got as close as 44-39 in the second half, but Burges responded with a 9-point run to regain control. The Mustangs' fast-break offense and timely 3-point shooting from Thomas proved to be the difference.

  • The game was played on February 25, 2026.
  • Burges will face Amarillo Palo Duro in the area round this weekend, with the date and time to be determined.

The players

Jojo Thomas

A Burges player who hit a pair of crucial 3-pointers during the Mustangs' decisive first-quarter run.

Burges

The boys basketball team from Burges High School that won the bidistrict playoff game and advanced to the area round.

Hanks

The boys basketball team from Hanks High School that lost to Burges in the bidistrict playoff game, ending their season with a 16-18 record.

Amarillo Palo Duro

The next opponent for Burges in the area round of the Class 5A Division II playoffs.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“For much of the night the Knights played evenly with Burges, but in that explosive end of the first quarter the Mustangs hit a gear not many teams in El Paso can match.”

— Bret Bloomquist, Reporter (El Paso Times)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This game showcased the high-powered offense and playoff experience of the Burges Mustangs, who were able to pull away from a scrappy Hanks team with a dominant first-quarter run. The win sets up an intriguing area round matchup between Burges and Amarillo Palo Duro, as the Mustangs look to continue their postseason push.