A furious second half comeback wasn’t enough for the Hays Rebels to score its first district win of 2017 as they fell to the Lake Travis Cavaliers 49-42 Friday at Bales Gym.
Hays (8-10, 0-2 in district) quickly fell into a steep deficit and was forced to rally thereafter.
Lake Travis surged ahead for a 20-5 first quarter lead, which then expanded to 28-13 at intermission.
The Cavaliers (8-10, 1-2), led by former Hays assistant coach Kevin Bussinger, maintained a 16-point lead in the third quarter before Hays orchestrated a last-ditch rally.
Led by Rebel senior Gabby Bosquez, Hays rallied to cut Lake Travis’ lead to roughly ten points with under two minutes in the game. Three pointers from freshman Lily Guevara and senior Chloe Aguirre cut the Cavalier lead to 44-38 with less than a minute to go.
But critical Cavalier buckets down the stretch, including free throws made by Lake Travis’ Hannah Ho and Bailey Devin, kept Lake Travis at arm’s length the rest of the way.
Bosquez led the team with 15 points, while senior Chloe Aguirre finished with 10 points.
The Rebels will next be in action Dec. 28 when they travel to the Brazoswood Tournament. Hays returns home Jan. 5 when the host the rival Lehman Lobos at Bales Gym.
