By Moses Leos III.
One week ago, a shot at the buzzer helped the Hays boys’ basketball team further advance its historic season. But two shots at the buzzer from the Schertz Clemens Buffaloes brought dreams of a state tournament appearance to an end.
A pair of buzzer beaters, one in overtime by Clemens’ Devin Kearns, pushed the Buffs past Hays 69-66 in a wild regional final Saturday at San Antonio’s Blossom Athletic Center.
The two 27-4A foes, meeting for the third time this year, began in a back and forth style, trading buckets. Clemens held a 15-13 lead after a quarter of play.
Hays Rebel senior post Hayden Cagle (30) bowls over Schertz Clemens guard Ernesto Castillo on a layup attempt during Saturday’s regional final playoff game. A buzzer beater with less than five seconds left in overtime ended Hays’ season in a 69-66 loss. Hays ends their year having tied the deepest playoff run in program history. (Photo by Lincoln Ramirez) |
The Rebels gained an edge in the second before Clemens flexed their muscle. Fueled by a fast-paced style, the Buffaloes closed the quarter on a 16-4 run. Forward Julian Strom, along with posts Marcus Mays and Cayne Edwards each contributed four points. Edwards led the Buffaloes with 14 points.
“In the first quarter, we were slowing their (fastbreak) down and guarding their bigs,” Hays head coach Robert Lucero said. “In the second, they ran at us, and it was hard to slow their offense down.”
While the Rebel defense worked to contain Clemens’ pace, Hays struggled to get its offense churning.
Shooting from the perimeter proved a challenge; Hays only buried one three pointer in the game.
Senior guard Jacob Rodriguez and junior guard Nate Alvarado were held in check, often taking contested shots. Both combined to score only nine points in the contest.
In the paint, senior post Hayden Cagle and junior wing Heath Agnew fought for every point they scored.
The Buffaloes’ press caused additional havoc for the Rebels. While the Rebels utilized tactics against the Buffalo press, Cagle said none proved successful in the first half.
Clemens held a 32-25 halftime lead; it grew to 42-30 with 6:30 left in the third quarter. Momentum was squarely on the side of the Buffaloes, who seemed primed to pull away. But the Rebels rallied back into the contest.
Slowing down the speedy Clemens guards was the key, according to Lucero. Once on offense, Hays went right back to the paint. Cagle exploded for six points in the quarter, helping Hays pull to within seven at quarter’s end.
Hays’ comeback continued into the fourth. Agnew and senior guard Stephen Ayala spurred the run, scoring 15 of the Rebels’ 17 points. Agnew led all scorers with 20 points in the contest, nine scored in the fourth.
A layup from Agnew with 1:28 to go in regulation gave Hays a slim 58-57 lead. An Ayala free throw grew the lead to 59-57.
“During the game, we had so much adversity. But they fought and fought and fought,” Lucero said. “They stayed together, got back into the game and took leads. You have to be proud of the guys when they do that.”
Clemens had one last gasp. With 2.4 seconds left, Edwards banked home a shot off an inbounds pass as time expired, sending the game to overtime.
However, fouls took their toll on the Rebels. Both Rodriguez and Agnew fouled out midway through the overtime period. Despite the losses, Hays held a 64-61 lead before Clemens surged back, taking a 66-64 advantage.
Ayala responded with a layup inside of :30 seconds, leaving Clemens in possession in the final moments.
But for the second time, the Buffaloes sunk the hearts of the Rebels. With less than five seconds left, Devin Kearns fired up a three-point shot from the left baseline that hit its mark.
“Clemens is a good team,” Lucero said. “You don’t win as many games as they have without being such a good team.”
Falling one game shy of the state tournament was difficult for seniors Rodriguez, Cagle and Ayala. While their journey met a difficult end, Cagle looked back at all the team accomplished.
“We did something never done before at our school. It was a great ride with a new coach; most people don’t do that,” Cagle said. “We have a great future for our basketball program”
Agnew said taking the example by the seniors will be fuel for next year.
“The hard work put in to get to this point is unbelievable,” Agnew said. “It hurts (to lose). But you have to look at the upside sometimes.”
Lucero completes his first year at Hays having done something few of his predecessors have accomplished. Since 1980, no Rebel team has gone beyond the area round of the playoffs.
He chose to focus on the history the team set, instead of what could have been.
“I wanted them to focus on the positive things they have done,” he said. “(They are) disappointed in not making it to the (state tournament), but you have to be happy in what they accomplished this season.”
