Waiting game

Win No. 800 put on hold with loss

By Jennifer Tavlian/sports@trcle.com

MINERAL WELLS — Cleburne jumped out to a 6-2 lead early in Friday’s game against Kennedale in the Mineral Wells Holiday Hoops Tournament and trailed 16-14 at the half, but let the momentum slip in the second half to lose, 48-33.

Head coach Jeff Cody, still one win from career victory No. 800, stressed discipline to his team after Thursday’s losses to O.D. Wyatt and Keller Fossil Ridge. Cody said he would shoulder the blame for the Jackets’ lack of discipline, but promised it wouldn’t happen again.

Cleburne (11-8, 2-0) came out more focused against the Wildcats, earning a quick trip to the line by Ethan Anderson to sink 1-of-2 free throws before Scotty Walden buried a 3-pointer.

Anderson added a layup to pull the Jackets in front by four.

Kennedale hit two quick layups and added a pair of free throws to take a two point lead into the second quarter.

Jared Hance tied the game less than a minute into the second frame with a layup, but the Wildcats answered with a jumper. Jacob Windell’s two free throws and a jumper by DeSean Thomas pulled Cleburne ahead by two points until Kennedale went on a 6-0 scoring run.

Anderson finished the first half with a layup, and the Jackets trailed by two points at halftime.

Thomas answered a Kennedale jumper to start the third quarter with a 3-pointer. The Wildcats hit a layup before Thomas scored on a layup, then nailed two 3-pointers and a layup to take a 30-21 lead into the fourth quarter.

Thomas put a point on the board with a free throw before Kennedale hit a free throw and a jumper just inside the 3-point arc.

A free throw from Hance was answered with two 3-pointers in 28 seconds. Kennedale rebounded a missed free throw and scored on a layup to pull ahead by 18 points.

Thomas hit a layup and Ricky Aly swished a 3-pointer, but Kennedale came back with a 3-pointer and a layup in 26 seconds.

Windell hit two free throws and Kennedale scored on a layup with 2:23 left in the game.

Cleburne’s Michael Wilson drove home a 3-pointer with two seconds on the clock.

Thomas led the Jackets with 10 points, followed by seven points from Anderson. Aly, Hance, Wilson and Walden each chipped in three points, and Hance led Cleburne with five rebounds.

Windell scored four points for the Jackets.

“We played them,” Cody said. “I told the kids before the game that Killeen is ranked No. 4 or 5 in the state and beat Kennedale in overtime, so you’re playing a team that could possibly win the 3A state championship. They’ve got all the weapons. They have size and can score inside as well as outside.

“For three quarters, we were right there. But we missed some layups and some put-backs. We had some breakdowns. When you’re playing a team that’s picked to win state, if you make a mistake, they’re going to make you pay for it. And they did. I thought the kids battled back and I thought they played better. When you get behind and start trying to play catchup against a good team, they’re going to burn you.”