By Moses Leos III.
Despite some struggles, the Lehman boys basketball team finished with a 2-3 mark at the Marble Falls Tournament, held Dec. 5-7.
The Lobos were tasked with trying to navigate through a tough pool, which included 5A opposition in Killeen and Fort Bend Dulles.
Lehman began the weekend with a 48-45 win over Vista Ridge, but the Lobos ran into a tough Dulles team, falling by 15 points.
Head coach Thomas Acker said the team played well against their 5A foe, but were felled by defensive inconsistency and allowing Dulles to capitalize on second chance points.
Lehman followed the Dulles game with two straight losses. Perhaps their toughest game was a 53-51 loss to Victory Prep; a game Acker called a bad loss.
“We didn’t execute down the stretch, and had costly poor possessions and unforced (turnovers),” Acker said in an emailed response.
The Lobos then succumbed to Killeen, 64-41.
Despite some personnel issues, the Lobos held firm with the Kangaroos, keeping within four points in the third quarter. Lehman continued to battle, staying within ten points with five minutes to go in the game, before Killeen overpowered them for the win.
Lehman defeated Fredericksburg 45-35 to round out the weekend.
Acker felt the team represented themselves well during the tournament, especially against the 5A teams. He said the experience would help them during the tough 27-4A-district grind.
However, he was concerned at the team’s struggle to limit internal miscues, which have cost them several close contests. He said the team battles “careless mistakes and poor execution.”
The team’s ability to stay in every game is a big positive for Acker.
“I feel the positives are that we were in every game and had a chance to win every game [during the tournament],” he said. “I feel that way about the entire season thus far.”
He aims to see the team continue to work on consistency. It will take precedence at the Hays Rebel Classic this weekend, where Lehman will face several tough opponents.
“I look forward to seeing how our guys respond to solid competition,” Acker said. “At some point, we will get everything clicking and fix all of the little mistakes that have us where we are now.”
Lehman begins the Rebel Classic against Dripping Springs on Thursday morning.
