By Spencer Spilman
The Hays Rebels basketball team opened up the 2015-16 season Tuesday night against the Cedar Park Timberwolves at Bales Gym.
Rebels struggled in shooting the ball, along with missed free throws, ultimately hurt Hays as they fell 60-47 to the Timberwolves.
Hays fell down early as the Timberwolves drove to the basket and got to the free throw line. Cedar Park was efficient as it knocked down 22 of 26 shots from the line.
Free throws were a large factor in a game where there were 47 total fouls called and over 50 combined free throws.
Rebels coach Sam Lunz felt the stoppages could have thrown off the rhythm of the game for both teams.
“It kind of disrupts the flow of the game,” said Lunz. “We have to learn how to move on to the next play and not let it bother us.”
Cedar Park took an early 17-13 lead after the first quarter thanks to Keaton Hervey, who was effective from both inside the paint and the perimeter. Hervey finished the game with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
The Rebels offensive woes continued throughout the first half as Jake Krafka and Charles Bohannon had trouble knocking down shots. Hays trailed Cedar Park 31-19 at halftime.
Bohannon was a bright spot from the free throw line as he went 8 of 9 from the charity stripe.
Krafka struggled from the line and from the floor, but still finished the game with 15 points. Bohannon led the Rebels with 20 points despite the struggles offensively.
“The defense was working hard, but when we’re not hitting shots and the other team is, it’s always going to be a tough night,” Bohannon said.
Bohannon took over in the second half and did everything he could to bring the Rebels back in the game.
Bohannon scored 12 of his 20 points, while Krafka scored 11 of his 15 in the second half. The rest of the offense, however, was quiet despite a few late baskets.
Cedar Park had nine players score in the game while Hays had just five players score.
The Timberwolves used their size to gain an edge in the post, but the game was decided at the free throw line. Hays missed 12 free throws, two of those were the open end of a one and one situation.
Lunz felt the team played well, but just couldn’t knock down shots.
“I don’t think we got outplayed or outworked,” he said. “We just didn’t knock down shots and they hit their free throws and held onto their lead.
The Rebels will look to bounce back and get their offense going when they host the Hays CISD Classic Tournament, which officially begins Thursday.
