Dripping Springs wins district by beating Marble Falls JV boys

MARBLE FALLS — The Marble Falls High School junior varsity boys basketball team lost its final game 74-47 to Dripping Springs Feb. 14.

The Tigers clawed their way into first place in District 25-4A with the victory to finish the campaign at 12-0.

However, Mustang sophomore guard-forward Ben Stripling’s contribution outshined the overall performance of any player on the floor.

Stripling, hampered by foul trouble, scored seven points in the first half but dropped in 14 points in the third period and eight more in the final quarter.

Sophomore post Keith Jerome recorded several steals and rebounds, while sophomore post Steven Petrosky pulled down a handful of rebounds, too. Sophomore Jacob Moore added a spark defensively off the bench.

Pressing the point, Stripling attacked the basket at will, drawing fouls and making layups. When he was fouled he was deadly from the line, hitting 8 of 11 for the game. He made 3 of 5 from beyond the arch. Sophomore point guard Aidin Parnell recorded six assists in the second half, including five to Stripling.

Marble Falls (3-9) was able to cut a 26-point deficit to 10 early in the fourth quarter thanks to Stripling’s scoring and a swarming full-court Mustang press aided by sophomore guards Jordan Wright and Jose Navarro.

But that is as far as the comeback got.

The Tigers outscored the Mustangs 27-10 in the fourth period to seal the win.

Stripling led the Mustangs with 29 points, five rebounds, an assist and two steals. Jerome added seven points, five rebounds and four steals. Junior forward Nick O’Connor had seven points with one rebound. Petrosky added two points and five rebounds. Parnell scored two points with five rebounds and six assists. Junior guard Darius Johnson had two assists and a steal.