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MANOR — Bastrop’s boys basketball team defied expectations this season and claimed a third-place finish in its first playoff appearance in 15 years.
The Bears closed out the year Feb. 24 with a 58-42 loss to the Pflugerville Panthers in the bi-district round of the playoffs at Manor High School. Despite predictions to finish last in the district, Bastrop Head Coach Daniel Hobbs said he wasn’t surprised by the program’s accomplishments and podium finish.
“I don’t think the expectations other than mine were all that high,” he said. “This was the first taste that any of these kids had of playoff basketball, so just getting there was a big step.”
Generating offensive threats proved to be difficult in the team’s final contest of the season. Bastrop fell behind early and was unable to recover.
The Bears failed to place a player in double figures.
Sophomore point guard Jamarion Aldridge Hopes led the team with nine points but struggled from the field, finishing 2 for 13. Senior forward Brent Carter also scored nine on an efficient 3-of-4 shooting effort, adding key baskets in the second half.
The Panthers opened the game on a strong run, building a 13-4 lead after a layup by Hopes accounted for the Bears’ early scoring. By the end of the first quarter, Bastrop trailed 19-8, with junior forwards Caleb Burns and Drake Hensley adding second-chance layups.
The duo combined for five points in the period.
Attacking issues continued into the second quarter as Pflugerville extended its advantage. Bastrop trailed 32-15 midway through the third before Hopes converted an and-one layup to trim the deficit to 3218.
Carter provided a spark with a putback layup and midrange jumper to keep the margin within 14. However, the Panthers responded with another run, pushing the lead to 42-22 and eventually 58-35 late in the fourth quarter.
Bastrop was outrebounded 29-22 and committed 23 turnovers, which proved costly.
The Bears shot 41% from the field compared to Pflugerville’s 45%, but the turnover margin and rebounding deficit limited their ability to mount a comeback.
Despite the lopsided score late in the game, the Bears battled to the final buzzer. Junior shooting guard Brayden Garza scored five quick points in the closing minutes as Bastrop’s season came to a close.
The playoff berth signals progress for a program that had not reached the postseason in more than a decade.
Bastrop will return nine players from this year’s roster and look to push its ceiling after a successful run.
