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BASTROP — The Bastrop Bears boys varsity basketball team’s three game district winning streak came to an end this past week with back-to-back losses, falling to Anderson 55-42 Jan. 13 before dropping a narrow 45-43 decision to McCallum on Friday. Entering the week, Bastrop was averaging more than 65 points per game in district play and shooting better than 45% from the field. Those numbers dipped as the Bears shot below 40% in both contests.
With the losses, the Bears fell to 12-15 overall and 3-2 in district play. Bastrop will travel to resume district action and face Cedar Creek with a 7 p.m. tipoff Friday, Jan. 23.
VS ANDERSON
Bastrop was outscored 17-2 over the final five minutes in its matchup with the Trojans. Turnovers and missed opportunities plagued the Bears down the stretch.
The Bears got off to a strong start, holding a 14-11 lead after the first quarter following a buzzer-beating basket by junior power forward Caleb Burns, who finished with nine points.
Both teams traded baskets in the second quarter, and a 3-pointer from senior guard Ryder Alvarez gave Bastrop a fivepoint lead with 3:30 left in the half. Anderson responded with a 7-0 run to take a 25-23 advantage late in the period, but a 3-pointer from junior shooting guard Brayden Sanchez put Bastrop back on top as the half closed.
The Bears continued to battle in their return and held a 40-38 lead with five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
That momentum quickly faded, however, as Anderson closed out the game with a decisive 17-point run.
Bastrop struggled to protect the ball and convert shots late, allowing the Trojans to pull away.
The Bears shot 36% from the field and 15% from beyond the arc.
Junior small forward Preston Alexander led the team with 11 points.
VS MCCALLUM
Two free throws proved to be the difference in a 45-43 loss to the Knights.
Junior forward Drake Hensley had a clean look at a potential game-winning 3-pointer, but the shot bounced off the front of the rim as time expired.
The defensive battle was tight throughout. Bastrop jumped out to a 15-10 lead after the first quarter, but McCallum tied the game at 18 with three minutes left in the half. The Knights followed with a 7-3 run and outscored the Bears 15-6 in the second quarter to take a 25-21 lead into halftime.
Both teams combined for just 17 points in the third. Bastrop trimmed the deficit to one point heading into the final eight minutes.
McCallum opened the fourth quarter with a 6-0 run to extend its lead to 38-31 before a timely 3-pointer by Alvarez cut the deficit to four. That basket sparked a 7-0 run, capped by another Alvarez 3-pointer, giving the Bears a 41-38 lead with three minutes remaining — their first lead since the second quarter.
The Knights quickly answered with four straight points to reclaim the lead, 42-41, with 2:20 left. Bastrop answered with a layup, and McCallum later tied the game at 43 with a free throw and one minute remaining.
A Bastrop turnover with 40 seconds left allowed McCallum to run down the clock before drawing a shooting foul with five seconds remaining. The Knights converted both to seal the win.
Alvarez and Alexander led the Bears with 17 points each. Bastrop shot 32% from the field.
