WALLIS — The Brazos High School boy’s basketball team put on an impressive showing Jan. 24 against a really good team in Hitchcock High School, but fell just short by a final score of 67-56.
Hitchcock scored a lot of their points on fast breaks and the Cougars were able to hang with their fast-paced offense by making tough shots and getting to the basket on offense.
“They’ve played Hitchcock enough times where it’s like respect them, but don’t be scared of them,” said Brazos head boy’s basketball coach Jason Tucker.
“They did that today. If you look at the scores, they’re winning by an average of 40 in district. To only lose by 12 or 10, that’s a good job by us. If we can keep that going, look out. We got a chance to get in the playoffs.”
Both teams went back and forth in the first quarter, then Hitchcock hit a three-pointer and a jumper to in the final minute or so to take a 14-8
lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Bulldogs made a fastbreak dunk with 4:51 to go in the second quarter to make it 23-10, forcing Brazos to call timeout. Brazos battled back with some baskets and cut the lead to within six before Hitchcock regained their double- digit lead on a fast-break layup, a pull up jumper and and one basket.
Brazos junior shooting guard Haiden Hickman re- sponded in the final seconds with a three to put it at 32-23 going into halftime.
Hitchcock kept a similar lead in the third quarter until Hickman made one technical free throw on a double-technical call, then followed his free throw with a jumper, which led to a steal and a layup for Brazos to make it 40-36 with about three and a half minutes to go.
Hitchcock answered with a few baskets, including an and one basket with just under a minute to play and a layup in the final seconds to take a 50- 40 lead at the end of the third quarter.
The two teams traded punches again in the fourth quarter and Brazos was only able to cut the lead to as little as six with a few made jump shots.
Hitchcock ultimately sealed the game with their ability to break the press and make layups in transition as well as with their half court offense.
A valiant effort from Brazos ended with a big fourth quar ter from Hitchcock to win it 67-56.
