Inarguably the most important game of the season, the Texans boys basketball team defeated the Bandera Bulldogs 73-53 to keep their hopes of a district championship alive.
With the victory, the Texans sit firmly in second place in the standings with a 4-1 district record while Bandera falls into a three way tie for third place with Davenport and Fredericksburg who all three have a 2-3 record.
The Texans were in for a shock as Bandera had stormed back in the first quarter despite being down 11-4.
For Head Basketball Coach Mike Whitten, it was the physicality of the Bulldogs that helped take control of the first quarter.
“It was a physical game,” Whitten said. “They (Bandera) played really hard, and it honestly surprised our guys a little bit. Historically we’ve beat these guys pretty easily, but Bandera fought really hard. We had to respond. Early on we were in shock a little bit, but we started competing a little bit better, started to get into our own game and we were able to pull it out.”
With Bandera taking a 21-17 lead following back to back three pointers including one at the end of the 1st quarter, it was the Texans defense in the second quarter that proved to be the difference maker.
Holding the Bulldogs to just five points in the second quarter, the Texans were able to score 17 points to go out ahead as Wimberley never trailed again for the rest of the game.
For the Texans, it was about staying aggressive on defense despite what had happened during the first quarter.
“We had missed 11 free throws during the first half,” Whitten said “That was a big part of allowing them (Bandera) to have a big run. We missed a free throw then they would score two points. It’s just as bad as a turnover. I just told our guys we needed to get back into our game. Some of the guys thought maybe we should just get back on defense but no we were going to stick to what we do and be aggressive. We then started to force turnovers, going into transition, and getting some easy scores. That second quarter was huge, because we outscored them 15-5. It was a big turnaround that second quarter.”
The Texans were able to keep the momentum going from the second quarter into the second half as Wimberley kept Bandera at bay.
“A lot of it was because they (Bandera) were outsized,” Whitten said. “We got some scores inside easy in the third quarter and set the tone. Hayes was amazing tonight especially off the dribble. Miles is having a hard time, because everyone is focusing on him. A lot of teams try to take his game away, so he is trying to find other ways to score rather than spotting up on the three point line which he is really good at. But I think our guys on the inside really stepped up, played big for us and got some rebounds.”
Leading the team in scoring was Hayes Pounds with 28 points followed by Robbie Richter with 10 points and Dane Hennessee with 9.
Despite a low scoring, junior Miles Scheleder accomplished a major statistical milestone in the Tex ans 77-55 win over Canyon Lake as he made his 100th three pointer of the season.
“It’s amazing,” Whitten said. “100 threes in a season is really special, and we still have another five games left. He’s No. 2 in the state in three pointers, and I think he’s No. 2 in the nation as well… It’s just a special deal and believe it or not Hayes is third in district in three pointers, so we have two guys who shoot the three pretty well. Then you have Thomas Watson with two threes in the first quarter in the last game. The three point shot is a big weapon for us, but Miles having a 100 threes in a season is a special accomplishment.”
Wimberley starts over district play this week as they travel to Fredericksburg to take on the rival Billies before hosting the Davenport Wolves on Friday night.
