The Big Sandy Wildcats had a second-half lead, but Mumford would be a bit too much Monday in Willis, as the Mustangs took a 40-31 bi-district match.
“It was a defensive struggle game,” Big Sandy coach Dalton Flowers said. “We were down 10 at the half at 19-9. We took a 22-21 lead when we went on a run with about 1:30 to go in the third quarter. I thought we kind of had the momentum, and then they just kind of answered right back. They went on a little run themselves.”
Shuday Beene-Williams led the ‘Cats with 11 points, while Zane Alec had eight and Jamesley Flowers had seven.
The Mustangs worked to shut down what has been the Wildcats’ main scoring threat this season.
“Anytime (Jamesley) was inside the 3-point line, they had two or three on him,” the coach said. “Hopefully, next year, we will have more scoring options.”
Coach Dalton Flowers completes his first season leading Big Sandy, overseeing a rebuilding project after multiple seniors were lost the year prior.
“I was fortunate and blessed,” the coach said. “It wasn't a thing where Coach (Kevin) Foster just left unexpected. There was pressure for sure, but he knew when he hung it up that we were going to be super young. He had me start to construct the schedule pretty early last year when he was thinking about retiring. As much as that was a little bit of pressure, the community here is great. Honestly, the kids made the transition pretty well. It probably helped that I was here for two years prior.
“We had three or four freshmen all year long and I think the year went about as good as it could have, honestly, with that little of experience. We were bringing back two or three players with any kind of varsity experience. It was rough early, but we kind of hit our stride about three weeks ago.”
The Wildcats have only one senior on the team in Zane Alec, who has been part of the program since a young child.
“Zane Alec has been going here his whole life. We are going to lose our captain and I really felt like he brought the toughness for us defensively this year. He took the most charges on our team, and I think he is up to over 20 or 30 on the season, which is crazy. He is kind of our vocal leader as well. We are losing more than points and rebounds there. The guys listen to everything he says and follow suit. He understands the game really well and is like having another coach out there on the floor seeing everything.”
The offseason will give a chance for the young team to develop a bit. With most of the squad back next year, they will have more opportunities to work together.
“We are going to grow and we need a little bit of growth with a little more maturity. We are going to get to work. The kids will play baseball, but once they are done with baseball, we are going to get back to work and really try to hone in on some offensive skills.”
