Big Sandy basketball secured a win in their final home game over Sabine Pass, one of the district’s top teams, 48-40 Friday.
A 10-0 run in the fourth quarter sent the Wildcats from trailing by one to out in front at 44-35 with three minutes to go. It would prove to be enough for the win, as both teams struggled shooting over the final moments. The Sharks could not find the bucket from the field, and Big Sandy had problems putting the game away, with a 5-of-14 performance on the free-throw line in the fourth.
Though they have just one senior, Zane Alec has been part of the program for many years. Head coach Dalton Flowers said he believes the team gutted out Friday’s performance for their teammate.
“It meant a whole lot to him,” the coach said of Alec’s last performance at home. “He was getting a little emotional in the locker room and the boys were loving him up a little bit. I think that is really what it is, and why we were able to come out on top and really push through. I was a little nervous at the end, because we couldn't hit a free throw for whatever reason. Typically, we shoot good at the free-throw line, but we couldn't down the stretch. We did just enough to pull it out.”
The Wildcats started on a 9-0 run after the opening tip, holding the Sharks without a point until a little over two minutes remaining in the first quarter. That defense and the Wildcats’ ability to slow the game’s pace would keep the opponent off balance.
They would lead by as much as 10 points in the second, but Sabine Pass found their way back into the game each time the lead was extended.
The first advantage for the Sharks occurred with just over a minute in the third, as they pulled ahead 32-30. The lead would change hands a few times until Big Sandy could make that pivotal run in the fourth.
“We led them at the half at their place (two weeks ago), but then they came back in the third quarter and really got up on us and turned us over a lot,” Flowers said. “Before we knew it, it was an 11-point game. We came back and tied it with two minutes left. So, that is what we talked about at halftime (tonight) – don't allow the same thing to happen. We were up by three at halftime at their place and three again tonight. We took care of the ball against full-court pressure, which with a bunch of freshmen, we have kind of struggled this year. We have been a lot better lately with taking care of the basketball. We only had 15 turnovers tonight, which is what we want to keep it around. I was real impressed with how we took care of the ball.”
Jamesley Flowers had success off the dribble and attacking the rim for multiple layups. He also gathered important rebounds, allowing for second and third looks in a possession. He led all scores with 23 points. Jasper Hardy connected on a couple of important shots behind the arc in the fourth and ended with 11, Naki Thompson had seven and Alec five. Sharks Ja’lon Aiken with nine and Devin Roberts with eight were top producers for the visitors.
Both teams will continue on to the postseason. The ‘Cats will play Mumford in the bi-district round, likely in or around Willis.
“It is a tough opponent, and they have a rich basketball tradition,” Flowers said of the state-ranked Mustangs. “They were at state three or four years ago. They have a real good couple of seniors, and we only have one senior. It is going to be a close game and going to be a tough game. We've got about a week and a half to prepare for them, so we are going to work on that.”
