Critical shooting from the free throw line in the clutch helped the Leh-man Lobos (11-19) grab a dramatic 63-60 win over the Hays Rebels (11-19) Tuesday at Bales Gym.
Lehman took control of the game right out of the gate, as senior Kenny Henderson drilled a three to start the game.
The real star of the first quarter, however, was Lehman sophomore Zack Harris who scored 12 points in the first frame. He finished the quarter with a buzzer-beating three-pointer that gave Lehman a 24-16 lead.
Hays began to build momentum going into the second quarter. Senior Dre Green started the second quarter hot, making his first three shots and putting up 7 points early in the quarter; Green scored 19 points in the game.
Lehman junior Cameron Jones was not to be outdone and scored 8 points in the second quarter to help the Lobos hold a 35-26 lead at intermission.
Rebel senior Sergio Vega did his best to jumpstart the offense right out the gate by scoring 5 points on Hays’ first two possessions.
Lehman’s Jones kept firing, scoring nine points early in the quarter as well. Despite his effort, the Rebels went on a 12-6 run to end the third quarter, and the two teams went into the final quarter tied at 46-46.
The fourth quarter was full of drama.
Lehman built a small lead, but the Hays Rebels refused to back down, and kept knocking down clutch shot after clutch shot to keep the game close.
Following five straight Lobo points to get their lead up to 58-52, Hays sophomore Carlos Rocha made a clutch three-pointer from the right wing. Rocha followed that up with a big steal, and Vega used that turnover to make a layup and draw a foul, trimming the Lobo lead to 58-57.
But the Rebels were unable to get any closer as the Lobos focused in and made five of their last six free throws. Henderson led the Lobos with 19 points on the night.
“My guys grew up. They executed, they finished, they believed in each other, and they played together. Everything else took care of itself,”
Steven Pinchback, Lehman Head Coach.
Lehman head coach Steven Pinchback was very upbeat and enthusiastic about his team’s road victory.
“My guys grew up. They executed, they finished, they believed in each other, and they played together. Everything else took care of itself,” Pinchback said.
Scoring a win over rival Hays was also a critical moment.
“We owed them. They came to our house and took one. I told my boys we can’t let anything distract us from our goals, and they showed me they can handle that tonight,” Pinchback said.
The Lobos will return to action Friday when they play host to Lake Travis. Hays Rebels will be on the road against Leander High School Friday night.
