By Moses Leos III.
High defensive pressure helped Hays defeat Lockhart 69-35 at Friday nights’ district opener in Bales Gym.
The Rebels’ next action is at Schertz Clemens on Dec. 31.
While Hays’ offense was successful, they ran into some struggles early in the game. The team moved the ball efficiently, but a few early turnovers derailed potential buckets.
Midway through the first quarter, Hays found its stride. Junior Heath Agnew, who scored a game-high 17 points, knocked down the first eight points for the Rebels.
But Hays only led 15-6 after one quarter. Rebel head coach Robert Lucero praised his team’s ability to get after Lockhart early, but felt they couldn’t capitalize on offense.
At top, Hays High wing Charles Bohannon goes up for a right-handed layup during the Rebels game against Lockhart on Friday. Stifling defense and high-tempo scoring helped Hays earn a 69-35 win over the Lions in the first district game of the year. (Photo by Lincoln Ramirez) |
“We were playing hard and we were maybe creating turnovers,” he said. “But [we were] not turning it into points on the other side.”
That changed in the second period, as the Rebel defense tightened its grip, locking down Lockhart’s offensive. The Rebels used their speed and quickness to cause several turnovers.
The offense was reanimated via a three-point bucket from Jacob Rodriguez with 5:10 to go in the first half, giving Hays a 20-8 lead.
The Rebels then turned to Alec Mozee, who scored five of his seven total points in the latter stages of the first half. He helped Hays secure a 30-15 halftime edge.
Lucero saw the Rebels had the size advantage. He went to Mozee, then later Agnew and senior Hayden Cagle to gain footing on the inside; both in points and on the glass.
“When we have the advantage inside, we pound it inside,” he said. “We can always throw it back out and get shots from the perimeter, which is one of our strengths.”
Hays further distanced itself from Lockhart in the third. They went on a five-minute, 26-5 run that put momentum in their favor.
Aiding the effort was the Rebel defense, which according to Lucero, created “havoc” on the Lion ball handlers. Often, the Lions struggled to make their way beyond the half court stripe. Lucero felt his team executed the game plan much more effectively in the second half.
“We like to create havoc in the backcourt with our defense,” Agnew said. “Once we get steals, we get back down and try to run [our offense].”
Conversely, the Rebel defense was able to complement the offense, creating turnovers that lead to easy points. Agnew said the key was rebounding consistency, along with the bigs ability to make their way down court to set up their offense.
Leading the way was guard Nathaniel Alvarado, who facilitated many of the fast breaks. He felt the team’s ability to distribute the ball around helped build the offense.
“We love sharing the ball. It’s not one person; it’s the whole team and we know that,” said Alvarado, who scored 12 points. “It’s fun sharing the ball and getting the win.”
Sharing possession helped Hays’ offense hit big perimeter shots. Alvarado hit two critical three pointers, while Cagle added another during Hays’ third quarter run. That put them ahead 59-26 going into the fourth.
Hays dominated the point to close the fourth, as Cagle scored four of his eleven points in the fourth.
The Lions tried to counter with Ronald Butler, who led Lockhart with ten points; it wasn’t enough.
Lucero attributed second half success by keeping key players “fresh” for the second half. He felt it allowed them to succeed in the third quarter.
Now, the Rebels must wait until the last day of 2013 for their next matchup. Agnew felt the team’s ability to stay in shape over the holiday will be key.
“When we come back, we have to get back to it and just prepare,” he said.
