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The Bastrop varsity boys basketball team continued its strong start to district play with a pair of home wins last week.
The Bears edged Liberal Arts and Science Academy 52-49 Jan. 6 before cruising past Crockett 61-37 Friday night.
LASA
The Bears earned a hard-fought win against the Raptors in a game that came down to the final possession.
With the score tied at 49, Bastrop came up with a crucial defensive stop in the closing seconds and transition layup as time expired.
Senior guard Ryder Alverez carried the Bears offensively, finishing with a game-high 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting from the field. He played aggressively throughout the night, consistently attacking the basket and providing timely scoring in Bastrop’s effort. Junior Diego Rangel was the only other Bear to reach double figures with 10 points on 5-of-11 shooting.
Despite the win, Bastrop struggled to take care of the ball and committed 19 turnovers — a recurring issue that nearly proved costly.
However, the Bears leaned on a strong defensive effort down the stretch to overcome their mistakes and close out the game on top.
CROCKETT
Bastrop followed up its dramatic win with a more comfortable performance against Crockett, pulling away early and never looking back in a dominant 24-point victory.
The Bears showcased their offensive balance with five players scoring at least eight points. Junior guard Preston Alexander led the way with 17 points on an efficient 6-of-8 shooting night, while junior Caleb Burns added 13 points on 4-of-8.
Although Bastrop again struggled with ball security, dropping 21 turnovers, the Bears made up for it with an aggressive backcourt approach. Bastrop recorded 12 steals, turning defense into offense and limiting any momentum for the Cougars.
With the two wins, Bastrop improved to 12-13 overall and 3-0 in district play.
The Bears took on Anderson after press time Tuesday and will return home to host McCallum Friday, Jan. 16, with tipoff set for 8 p.m.
