A 2-2 mark was how the Lehman Lobo boys basketball team exited the Hays Rebel Classic tournament, which was held Nov. 16-18.
Lehman head coach Michael Whitten said the Lobos’ tournament run, along with a 57-41 win over the Bastrop Bears Tuesday, highlights continued progress the team is taking as they march toward district play.
“We hope to keep this momentum and keep improving,” Whitten said. “We’re heading in the right direction, for the most part.”
Lehman began the tournament with a 65-55 loss to the San Antonio East Central Hornets on the opening day of the tournament.
East Central played a style similar to the Lobos, which centered on “relentless pressure,” Whitten said.
But the Hornets’ depth proved a challenge the Lobos had to battle with. To combat the Hornets, Whitten said the Lobos worked to shorten the game and “bog it down.”
“They hung around and executed a game plan, which they weren’t used to doing,” Whitten said. “They did a good job.”
Lehman rallied with a 60-50 win over Georgetown East View on day two. Pushing the Lobos forward was AJ Garcia, who scored in double digits while coming off of the bench.
Whitten, who faced East View during his previous tenure at Georgetown, began by playing East View with a zone defense. During the course of the game, Whitten said the Lobos found success by using the press to their advantage.
Whitten said flip-flopping between the two defensive styles could prove beneficial during district play.
“It changed the face of the game,” Whitten said. “It caused some turnovers and easy transition baskets.”
But the Lobos suffered a set back when they dropped a game to a Bowie Bulldogs team that was disciplined and executed well, Whitten said.
“We didn’t shoot the ball well, and that really hurt us,” Whitten said. “We struggled scoring in the game.”
The Lobos closed the tournament by defeating the Crockett Cougars 53-45.
Whitten lauded the play of Garcia and Kenny Henderson, who both came off the bench in support. Lobo Jon Rendon also played a role in several contests.
