by JOSHUA YOUNG
Lehman and Hays’ boys basketball teams played a close, physical contest on Friday with playoff implications on the line for the Rebels and pride on the line for the Lobos. The game turned out to be a mirror image of the first matchup as the two teams exchanged leads throughout and momentum was quick to swing. After a slow start offensively for both teams, each scoring 11 points in the opening quarter, the pace quickened in the 2nd as both teams successfully hit transition 3 pointers, tying up the game at 25 with 2:30 left in the half. Hays’ (#12) would hit a late 3-pointer to give the Rebels a slim 32-29 advantage.
The second half saw much of the same, except Lehman would be the aggressor and take the lead on their way to a 48-46 lead after 3 full quarters. The Lobos, however, could not hold on in the 4th and saw their lead erased with 1:20 to go as Hays hit 2 more clutch 3 pointers down the stretch to tie the game in the last minute. Hays held the ball for a last possession, but missed a shot at the buzzer to send the game into overtime tied at 55…again. This time, however, Hays prevailed with a 63-59 victory by forcing key turnovers and hitting key free throws to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Lehman senior De’Andre Carson followed up a career game Tuesday night with a valiant 26 point effort in his last game in front of the home crowd. Hays spread the scoring around, hitting timely 3 pointers and hustling for loose balls and offensive rebounds. Leading the Rebels on the night were # 20 (did not get name) and # 15 (name) with 15 and 13 points. The Lobos finish the regular season on Tuesday night at Boerne Champion, while the Rebels have a must win game with Kerrville Tivy.
The Lehman boys wrapped up their 2012-2013 season by making the long trip to Boerne for their final game against the Champion Chargers on Tuesday. With Champion still in the playoff hunt, the Chargers came out firing and used their sharpshooting to come away with 16 point victory and continue their season.
Lehman coach Thomas Acker, though disappointed in the team’s finish this season, was pleased with the effort of his players throughout the year but also praised Boerne Champion for their play on the night.
“All season we have been a tough team for everyone to beat, and tonight, they (Champion) came out shooting the ball well and looked like a playoff team.”
The Lobos do have reason to look back on this season fondly. This year’s squad finished with the most ever regular season wins for any Lehman boys basketball team (15) and can look back at an overtime victory at Hays as the high point in a season filled with ups and downs. Finishing with a final record of 15-21, the Lobos have a solid core of players to build around and look forward to the opportunity to improve on that win total next year.
Sophomore forward Robert Salinas, who has been a 2 year starter for the Lobos, remarked that “next year starts in the offseason. We need to work on our toughness and play together as a team more.”
Related stories:
