By Joseph O. Garcia
Special to the Record
Kyle — It was there for the taking, and the Rattlers took it.
Needing a win against the Lehman Lobos to clinch a playoff spot, the San Marcos Rattlers took care of business on Friday night with a 58-45 win at the Lobo Den.
“We played with great intensity,” SMHS head coach Rob Shivers said. “We talked about wanting to focus on playing with the intensity of a team trying to punch a playoff spot, it was good to see.”
SMHS improved its record to 14-13 overall and 7-3 in District 17-4A. LHS fell to 7-17 and 3-4 respectively.
The Rattlers set the tone early as Chris Threadgill knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers to start the game. Two plays later, Threadgill zipped a no-look pass to Hunter Burttschell for a lay-up which made the score 10-2 halfway through the first quarter.
The second quarter belonged to Colin Hart. The SMHS guard drained a barrage of 3-pointers, hitting four of five. He even converted an old-fashioned 3-point play after a foul on a made shot. In all, Hart scored 15 points in the quarter and 17 in the half.
“They were trying to mix up some zone defense, but Colin shoots the ball well,” Shivers said. “When he gets hot like that and his feet are set, those are great shots.”
SMHS may have been in control for the half, but it was the Lobos who took the momentum onto the locker room after freshman point guard De’ Andre Carson sunk a near-half court shot to make the score 33-19 at halftime.
Hart began the second half where he left off, making his first 3-point attempt and extending the Rattlers lead.
The Lobos simply could not match the Rattlers shot for shot. However, the SMHS defense can be credited with frustrating the LHS guards all game long, and not letting its offense get set.
The one Lobo guard who had any success was Carson who refused to let his team go away.
In the fourth quarter, Carson finally got into rhythm scoring seven tough points while trimming the Rattler’s lead to nine.
In the end, the night still belonged to Hart and the Rattlers. Hart answered Carson with nine fourth-quarter points including yet another 3-pointer to help clinch a playoff berth for SMHS.
“It felt really good tonight,” Hart said. “I hit a few shots in the small gym before the game and I felt good. This is going to be my first year to finally get to go to the playoffs, so I’m really excited.”
Hart led the Rattlers in scoring with 29, while De' Andre Carson led the Lobos with 15.
Shivers said the team is in still in transition. “We have to get better. We are playing without two guys who have been starters all year. Our team is still transforming, and we have a week and a half before playoffs to complete that transformation.”
Both teams are back in action Feb. 9. SMHS hosts Manor, while LHS visits Del Valle.
Hays boys 60, Elgin 53
BUDA — For those people who said Hays was too young to compete in District 17-4A, be warned.
The Rebels are one win away from clinching a playoff spot after beating Elgin, 60-53, Friday night.
After taking a two-point lead into halftime, Hays distanced itself in the third quarter with a stout defensive effort. The Rebels limited the Wildcats to 10 points.
Elgin put a charge into it in the fourth quarter, but Hays kept the visitors at bay.
Caleb Kimbro led the Rebels with 19 points, while Brandon Alvarado scored 17.
Hays girls 69, Elgin 30
ELGIN — Hays sure took out its frustration on Elgin Friday night.
Three days after seeing their undefeated district season end, the Lady Rebels put a beating on the Lady Wildcats. Hays thumped Elgin from beginning to end and walked away with a 69-30 win.
The Lady Rebels held the Lady Wildcats to 13 points in the second and third quarters, combined, while they poured in 35.
Chrissy Arias and Ashley Rankine led Hays with 14 points.
Hays wrapped up its district schedule with an 11-1 record.
