Marble Falls boys basketball beats Florence in most complete game of the season
CAPTION: Marble Falls junior guard Kody Smith finishes a fastbreak against Florence with a bucket to be one of several Mustangs in double figures. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
The Marble Falls High School boys basketball team crushed Florence 72-41 in a contest that illustrated what head coach Travis Crain had been saying about his team this season.
The Mustangs have the tools and the pieces to compete with the opponents they face. They led 17-6 after the first quarter, 35-22 at that half, and 64-29 in the third quarter where they dropped in 29 points.
Marble Falls scored in a variety of ways: off steals from their press, buckets from their press breaker, half-court sets where they drove for lay-ups or dumped to the outside for jumpers and 3-pointers and on putbacks.
Meanwhile, the Marble Falls defense didn’t take a play off. As a result, the Mustangs ensured seniors Averick Adams, Gabe Davis and Josh Miller exited Max Copeland Gym with a victory about an hour after they were honored before tip-off. During the game, the Mustangs were encouraging, laughing and enjoying the feeling of well-earned lopsided win.
“I’m proud of the guys to finish off non-district with a win,” Crain said. “We have three seniors, who are four-year kiddos. It’s pretty special to finish this off on senior night.”
He noted it was difficult to find a flaw in the Mustangs’ third quarter, which may be the best third period the team has played all year. What stood out to him was how each Mustang contributed. After one hit a shot or got a steal, someone else finished the play. Or the same Mustang hit a couple of shots in a row and passed when the defense collapsed on him to a teammate who made Florence pay.
“It was a pretty clean third quarter,” Crain said. “We’re so young. You never know what it’s going to be like.”
As a result of the massive offensive output, eight of 10 Mustangs scored led by junior Davis Dreisbach’s 18 followed by junior Kody Smith’s 14, sophomore guard Tidus Willie’s 11 and junior guard Jamie Castillo and Davis’ 8 apiece.
Davis used his speed and strength to drive to the basket and draw contact. In short, Florence couldn’t find an answer for him.
“I’m really proud of him,” Crain said. “This is only his second year playing basketball. He put in the work on the junior varsity, and we’ve been able to integrate him. As the year goes on, he’s going to get stronger with us.”
Marble Falls will take a District 24-4A bye Tuesday, Jan. 10, and welcome Lampasas Friday, Jan. 13, with the subvarsities playing at 5:30 p.m. and varsity at 7 p.m.
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