Mustangs lose ‘ugly’ district opener to Cedar Park
CEDAR PARK — The Marble Falls High School boys basketball team began District 25-4A play with a 67-34 loss to Cedar Park High School on Jan. 3.
"In my opinion, (the Jan. 3) game was one of the worst performances since I’ve been here," Mustangs head coach Bruce Etheridge said. "I was really disappointed in our level of energy."
Foul trouble started early and persisted throughout the contest, he said, forcing coaches to bench some starters.
The Timberwolves (1-1) took advantage in the first period for a 15-6 lead that went to 31-19 by the half.
But the Mustangs weren’t done. In the third period, Marble Falls scored six quick points to narrow the deficit to 33-25.
Cedar Park responded and outscored the Mustangs 18-6 in the period.
Junior post Rey Baltazar led Marble Falls with 12 points, and senior guard Clynt Powell added 11.
"We didn’t shoot the ball well," Etheridge said. "We couldn’t finish around the basket. We could never find our rhythm. Overall, it was an ugly game."
Despite the loss, not all is lost, Etheridge said.
"It’s a road loss," he said. "They got the job done at home. Cedar Park isn’t 30 points better than we are."
Marble Falls will have its district home opener Jan. 6 when it welcomes Leander Rouse at 7:45 p.m. to Max Copeland Gym, 2101 Mustang Drive.
"I have to think that at least we got the bad game behind us," Etheridge said. "We didn’t play well. We didn’t play with enough energy. We have to learn to play within ourselves."