SMHS BOYS BASKETBALL
The Rattlers got their first win of the season last Friday, defeating the Austin Crockett Cougars 6932.
It was the first win for San Marcos, who improved to 1-2 for the season.
“It means a lot,” Head Coach Dan Miller said. “We almost had it in our first game against Medina Valley at their place and they’re good, but almost doesn’t count in basketball. So it just was good for this group to experience a win. They needed that in our home gym and to build off of that. They just played as a true team team tonight, and I’m really proud of them.”
After a low scoring first quarter which saw San Marcos lead 6-4, the Rattlers caught fire in the second, scoring 21 points following an 8-0 run to start the quarter. San Marcos failed to give up as the Rattlers scored over 20 points in both the third and fourth quarters en route to the win.
The Rattlers were agonizingly close to winning their first game of the season against Medina Valley and San Antonio LEE but came up short in both games by a combined 13 points.
Against Crockett, Miller talked about the team’s improvement on rebounding and their ability to move the ball around on offense.
“The first quarter, we didn’t do good with [rebounding], but then in the second, third and fourth quarters, we were going hard to the boards,” Miller said. “We have to be a team that’s tough with all those 50-50 balls, all the box-outs and we have to be a great rebounding team. So we just put an emphasis on that, and I thought for the most part the guys did a great job.”
Junior Andre Salmon led the team in scoring with 14 points followed by senior Ernest Lozano with 12 points. Freshman Tytan Crayton and senior Jordan Bernal were tied for third in scoring with eight points each. The Rattlers were hot from three-point range, making 13 three-pointers in the game.
For Salmon, the Rattlers’ ability to move the ball on offense opened the Cougars zone defense, allowing San Marcos to let loose from beyond the arc.
“It was great, we looked for the extra pass and for the boomerang,” Salmon said. “We were driving, kicking out a lot and tried getting into the middle, so the perimeter players could shoot more. It worked out really well because we got 13 three pointers off of it.”
With the Rattlers capturing their first win of the season, Miller is focused on continuing to build up confidence with his players who are playing significant varsity minutes for the first time.
“This is so important because we have two freshmen that are in our rotation and we basically have almost a whole new varsity,” Miller said. “Even though we have seven seniors on our team, out of our 12 players, those guys didn’t play heavy minutes on varsity because we had so many seniors the last couple of years. They’re playing varsity out on the court for the first time. So we’re just gaining experience and confidence.”
The Rattlers return home Tuesday in a rivalry showdown against the Hays Hawks. Hays enters the game with a 4-2 overall record.
Tip-off for San Marcos and Hays is set for 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Snake Pit in San Marcos.
Freshman Tytan Crayton goes up for the basket in the Rattlers win against Austin Crockett. Crayton was third in scoring with eight points. Daily Record photo by Gerald Castillo
Senior Jordan Bernal takes the ball down the court on the fast break attempt. Bernal was third in scoring for the Rattlers with eight points. Daily Record photo by Gerald Castillo
