By Kyle Lehnick
In a close and exciting game, the Lehman boys basketball team fell to the Anderson Trojans 53-45.
Despite the loss, the Lobos didn’t make it easy for the district leading Anderson Trojans, who sit atop the 14-6A standings.
Anderson jumped out to a 9-3 lead, making easy transition lay-ups. Meanwhile, the Lobos maintained offensive possession but struggled to get the ball into the paint. By the end of the first quarter Lehman had scratched their way back in contention at 12-9.
Lehman rebounded by securing a 19-18 lead at halftime. They accomplished that feat by going 9 for 13 from the free throw line. A few three-point shots from senior point guard Aaron Rodriguez also benefitted the Lobo offense. Rodriguez had the highest offensive production for Lehman, going 4 for 6 beyond the arc and making 3 of his 4 free throws.
As a team, the Lobos made 57 percent of their three point attempts and 77 percent of their free throws.
Lehman continued to maintain a two to four point lead through the third quarter. The Lobos’ lead eventually expanding their lead to as much as six points with 7 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter.
Junior Kameron Edwards was held quiet offensively, but made three impressive blocks to keep the defensive pressure on the Trojans.
Anderson rallied right back down the stretch as they took a 39-38 lead with 3:30 left to play. From there, the Trojans maintained steady defensive pressure while Lehman strategically fouled the visitors in an attempt to slow the clock down.
Anderson made its free throws and the Lobos couldn’t muster enough offensive production to make a second comeback.
“We shot the ball well. They’re 3-1 and a tough team that’s on top of the district and for us to compete with them that’s a good sign,” Lehman head coach Michael Whitten said. “We missed a couple down the stretch that would’ve kept us in control of the game … Anderson made 16 of 18 free throws in the second half so hats off to them, they took care of business.”
This was the first home game for the Lobos since Dec. 14. Lehman took part in a tournament in La Vernia Dec. 29 that helped shake some of the Christmas Break rust.
Whitten said the team has improved during the past week a the tournament in La Vernia. Competing against a senior laden district leader was also a positive for the Lobos.
“We have a pretty young group for the most part and a new system,” Whitten said. “They’re getting better every week and catching on to new things, starting to run our stuff a little better each time, so we just need to keep progressing and getting better each time.”
Lehman is scheduled to face two more contenders also in the running for first place in the district. At Austin High (4-1) January 5th at 8 p.m. and hosting Westlake (5-0) on the 8th.
