Timberwolves eke out win against Mustang junior varsity

CEDAR PARK — The Marble Falls High School junior varsity boys basketball team lost to Cedar Park High 55-51 on Jan. 3.

Trailing by 12 at halftime, Marble Falls coach Jeremy Gamez challenged his team to step up their game.

The Mustangs (0-1) responded, scoring 18 points in the third quarter while holding Cedar Park to seven.

Leading the comeback was sophomore point guard Aidin Parnell, who scored six of his 10 points in the third. His dribble penetration opened up the floor for his teammates as every Mustang who played in the quarter scored. Sophomore posts Steven Petrosky and James Breyer contributed crucial offensive rebounds and tough interior defense.

Junior guard Isiah Carson opened the fourth quarter with a bucket that gave the Mustangs the lead for the first time since early in the first quarter.

The lead changed hands several times in the final eight minutes as both teams matched each other bucket for bucket, steal for steal and rebound for rebound.

With just under a minute left and the game tied at 51, the Mustangs committed a turnover.

Cedar Park quickly converted the opportunity into a two-point lead. Another Mustang turnover gave Cedar Park the ball back with 32 seconds remaining, forcing the Mustangs to foul to stop the clock.

Cedar Park converted both free shots to seal the win.

Mustang junior guard Joey Blackledge led with 15 points, two assists and three steals, while Carson added nine, junior Nick O’Connor scored seven, Petrosky and Darius Johnson both dropped in four and Breyer finished with two. Jordan Wright also contributed productive minutes off the bench in the back court.

The Mustangs JV hosts Leander Rouse at 6:15 p.m. Jan. 6 at Max Copeland Gym, 2101 Mustang Drive.