Leander Rouse seals win against Mustang JV in final seconds
MARBLE FALLS — Despite an explosive fourth quarter, the Marble Falls High School junior varsity boys basketball team fell to the Leander Rouse 59-54 on Jan 6.
While the rest of the team struggled to find the basket early, junior guard Isiah Carson proved to be a one-man wrecking crew. He consistently found holes in the Rouse defense, ending up at the basket for a layup or short jumper. His high energy defense inspired his teammates as the Mustangs pressured the ball and kept the game close through the first two quarters of play.
The visiting Raiders slowly began to pull ahead in the third quarter, holding the Mustangs to just seven points. Early in the fourth quarter, the Mustangs found themselves down 50-30.
Sophomore reserve forward Keith Jerome brought Marble Falls back to life with his tough physical play at both ends of the court. Scoring seven points and pulling down three rebounds to go with a steal and a blocked shot, Jerome changed the pace of the game.
Mustang defenders flew to the ball, recording five steals and eight rebounds. They finished the game on a 24-9 run and scored 28 in the quarter, two more than the previous three quarters combined.
Sophomore guard Aidin Parnell contributed in assists, twice finding junior forward Nick O’Connor for open 3-pointers. Parnell also hit the boards with four rebounds, including two in the fourth. Parnell and Carson led the team with two steals each.
When Parnell got into foul trouble, the Mustangs trailed by 12. Carson, junior guard Joey Blackledge and O’Connor continued the comeback with Jerome, sophomores Jordan Wright and Jose Navarro.
"I was really proud of how they fought back," coach Jeremy Gamez said.
Carson led the Mustangs with 23 points, followed by Blackledge with 11 and O’Connor with nine. Jerome added seven and Navarro and Parnell both finished with two.
O’Connor led with five rebounds followed by Parnell, Carson, Jerome and sophomore post Stephen Petrosky with three each.
The Mustangs welcome Leander Vandegrift at 6:15 p.m. Jan. 13 to Max Copeland Gym, 2101 Mustang Drive.