Monday, May 6, 2024
If you know anything about District 23-4A basketball, it’s that there are no easy wins anywhere on the league schedule. Gatesville basketball can attest to that after dropping their first two district games on the road at Connally and at Salado.
The Hornets (21-6, 0-2) lost to the Cadets 45-41 on Jan. 12, then fell in overtime to the Eagles 56-52 on Jan. 16. It’s the first time the Hornets have lost consecutive games this season and only the second time they have lost back-to-back contests since 2022.
In both losses, the Hornets were plagued by slow starts and long-distance struggles. They scored just seven points in the first quarter at Connally and eight in the opening period at Salado. In both games, they shot a combined 5-of-35 from behind the three-point line.
After falling behind 15-7 after the first quarter against the Cadets, the Hornets charged back. Scout Hall buried a 30-foot three pointer as time expired to cut the Connally lead to 30-24 at the half. In the third quarter, Gatesville allowed just two points and trailed 32-31 heading into the fourth quarter.
They would get as close as 43-39 on a three-point play from West Allman with 1:20 to play, but the Cadets held on for the four-point win. Allman scored 19 points in the loss and was the only Hornet in double figures. Hall added eight points.
Allman led the team in rebounding with five boards with Rayshon Smith, Charlie Winkler, Kase Cox, and Amos Phillips all grabbing four rebounds apiece.
Gatesville out-rebounded the Cadets 30-29 and scored 15 points off of turnovers compared to just five for Connally.
Against Salado (9-16, 1-1), the Hornets trailed by three points heading into the fourth quarter but came back to tie the game 48-48 when Smith hit a free throw with two seconds left in regulation to send the game to overtime.
Salado led 50-48 in overtime before Allman tied the game 50-50 with a nifty layup. Salado took a 52-50 lead but a putback from Cox tied the game at 52-52 with 32 seconds left. A layup from Salado’s Levi Ball and a pair of free throws provided the final 56-52 score.
Allman had a double-double in the loss with 18 points – 11 in the fourth quarter and overtime – and had 10 rebounds. Cox had 14 points and nine rebounds, while Graceson Stewart hauled in 11 boards.
Gatesville returned home to face league-leading La Vega (17-4, 2-0) on Jan. 19. Then they will welcome a surprising Robinson team to Gatesville on Jan. 23. The Rockets are 2-0 in district after going 0-10 a season ago. They beat Salado and China Spring in the first two district contests.
