By Moses Leos III.
For only the second time in 34 years, the Hays High boys basketball team will play past the first round of the playoffs.
Amid a pro-San Antonio Lanier Voks crowd, the Rebels persevered in crunch-time to earn a 60-52 victory. Hays moves on to play Austin LBJ in the area round at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Akins High gym.
Hays struggled early with the fast and aggressive Lanier defense, as the Voks took an early 8-5 first quarter lead.
“They [have] pesky and smart defenders,” Ayala said. “(Lanier) did a good job of pushing us out of our sets.”
At top: Leading the fast break down court, Hays Rebel senior guard Nathaniel Alvarado (5) works against a persistent San Antonio Lanier defense during their bi-district round playoff game at New Braunfels High on Tuesday. (Photo by Moses Leos III) |
Rebel head coach Robert Lucero said the high-intensity crowd led to some anxiety on Hays’ part. He instructed them to relax and play their game.
Hays regrouped, closing the first quarter on a 9-2 run, taking a 14-10 lead. The run was spurred by senior guard Nathaniel Alvarado, who finished with a game high 16 points.
Lanier continued its persistent attack. For retiring Lanier head coach Rudy Bernal, it’s the great equalizer for his smaller team.
“We do that game in and game out,” Bernal said. “That’s something we hang our hat on.”
Up-tempo play helped Lanier’s offense find its rhythm. That led to both teams trading buckets to close the first half, with Hays holding a 28-25 advantage at intermission.
The third quarter saw the Rebels regain control. Hays attacked the paint, going to junior wing Heath Agnew. Hays amassed a 38-31 lead before Lanier rallied back.
A 9-0 Voks run to close the third tied the score 40-40. Lanier eventually claimed a 50-48 lead with less than three minutes to go in the game.
Going back to the paint was the only recourse for the Rebels.
“We had to calm down, try to make sure we attacked their pressure and have someone get to the rim,” Lucero said.
Such mentality proved to be the difference.
Hays’ rebounding prowess, along with its overall aggressiveness, was too much for Lanier. The Rebels drew numerous fouls, hitting clutch free throws in the waning moments.
Hitting 12 of 13 free throws in the fourth quarter helped Hays survive and advance to the next round.
Lucero praised his team’s effort, happy they now get the chance to face off against LBJ.
Getting to that point was a thrill for senior Stephen Ayala.
“I was going to do anything possible to make sure this wasn’t my last game at Hays,” he said.
