By Moses Leos III.
After succumbing to Boerne Champion on a buzzer-beater on Friday, the Hays High boys’ basketball team looked to rebound against #6 Alamo Heights on Tuesday.
In front of a raucous crowd at Bales Gym, Hays (20-9, 9-3) upset Heights 65-55, toppling their second ranked opponent this season.
Both teams were close early, with Hays holding an 11-10 lead after a quarter.
Too many long-range misses stymied progress, according to senior point guard Stephen Ayala.
That changed in the second, as Hays took control of the paint.
At top, Hays Rebel senior guard Tyler Andrade (12) and Alamo Heights’ David Favorite (left) go up for a rebound during Tuesday nights game at Bales Gym. (Photo by Rafael Marquez) |
The absence of Mules center Ben Lammers, who was lost for the year with an injury, proved pivotal. Hays attacked the interior, going on a 12-1 run to take a 23-11 lead.
Ayala attributed offensive success to finding mismatches and sharing the ball. Junior wing Heath Agnew said defense also a big key to the win.
“We wanted to play fundamental defense, help rotate and not give up the big three,” Agnew said.
Hays led 29-18 at halftime, and was up by 15 in the third.
But Heights rallied, taking advantage of Rebel foul troubles, going 9 for 12 at the foul line. Height’s David Favorite scored eight points in the quarter, leading all scorers with 25.
Hays’ lead dwindled to 44-36 after the third quarter.
In stepped the Rebel bench, led by senior post Alec Mozee, whose five-point fourth quarter flurry spurred the Rebels.
Six points from senior guard Jacob Rodriguez, who finished with a team high 14, helped Hays secure the win.
Hays head coach Robert Lucero lauded his bench, knowing their depth is a tactical advantage.
“We feel comfortable with six or seven guys coming off the bench,” he said. “In our scouting report, we felt we were the deeper team.”
Savoring the win, Hays prepares for the final few games of the regular season.
For Ayala, staying in the moment is necessary for success.
“We can’t look at the past, and can’t look too far in the future,” he said. “We have to take things one game at a time.”
