Marble Falls boys hoops guts out win against Eastside
CAPTION: Marble Falls senior Isaiah Lazos’ tough defense is one reason why the Mustangs earned their second win of the season. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
The Marble Falls High School boys basketball team beat Austin Eastside Early College 52-48 Nov. 15.
The Mustangs (2-1) did it in what head coach John Berkman called a “back and forth” game.
“Once we got in the second half, we were in complete control,” he said.
Marble Falls led 15-6 after the first period, were losing 25-24 at halftime, and were winning 47-42 going into the final stanza.
The Mustangs outscored the Panthers 23-17 in the third quarter.
“It was exciting if you like scoring,” the coach said. “We were able to impose our will. It was a combination of things.”
When Marble Falls was forced to play its offense, the Mustangs hit jump shots, including 3-pointers, and drove to the basket for high-percentage shots. They also took advantage of transition baskets when they could.
“We had one pass and one dribble and getting a lay-up,” Berkman said. “That’s just our guys being aware by getting up the floor and scoring fast.”
Berkman summed up the second and fourth periods.
“Eastside made a run and we let our guard down a little bit,” he said. “They tried outscoring us in the fourth quarter. We slowed it down and frustrated them. We had some guys step up and play good defense. I’m most proud of guys working, getting out and playing tough defense.”
He was especially complimentary of seniors Roman Brown, Isaiah Lazos and Noah Lyon.
“They came in on defense and changed the game,” the coach said. “They made a difference for us.”
Senior guard Tidus Willie scored 23 points followed by sophomore guard Beckett Berkman with 12, and senior forward Garen Jones added 9.
This game illustrated the most important piece of any squad, John Berkman said.
“We’re turning into a team,” he said. “We’re becoming well rounded. We’re scoring points here and there. They understand if they’re not scoring, they can still help us become successful. This will help us down the stretch in big games for sure.”
Marble Falls is at Austin McCallum Tuesday, Nov. 19, with the freshmen playing at 5:15 p.m., the junior varsity at 6:30 p.m., and the varsity at 8 p.m.
The Mustangs’ varsity team will travel to play at Llano at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23. The reason for the change is because the Llano football team is playing in the second round of the playoffs against Orange Grove Friday, Nov. 22.
The Marble Falls subvarsities are in the Liberty Hill tournament.
