Burnet gets narrow win against Billies on road to playoffs
MARBLE FALLS – The Billies had a heckuva knockout punch, but the Burnet High School boys basketball team took the blow and returned a few of their own in the bi-district round playoff game for a 46-44 victory Feb. 21.
Up six with seconds remaining in the third quarter, a Fredericksburg player was fouled as he made a layup at the buzzer. He capped the three-point play and cut Burnet’s lead to only three as the Billies (21-13) took all the momentum and air out of Max Copeland Gym.
PHOTO 1: The Burnet Bulldogs pose with the bi-district trophy after defeating Fredericksburg 46-44 on Feb. 21 at Max Copeland Gym on the Marble Falls High School campus to advance to the area round of the Class 3A playoffs against San Antonio Houston. Staff photos by Jared Fields
PHOTO 2: Burnet High School sophomore guard Derek Kiser drives to the goal during the Bulldogs’ 46-44 bi-district round victory against Fredericksburg on Feb. 21 at Max Copeland Gym on the Marble Falls High School campus.
"That’s what we talked about (after the play) was their punch," Burnet head coach Roy Kiser said. "We took it and came back and hit some of our own."
The Bulldogs (17-13) rallied back to open the final quarter. Senior guard Grant Cole hit a jumper and sophomore Derek Kiser made a three to quickly put Burnet up 42-34.
Not to be outdone, Fredericksburg’s Travis Pape hit two 3-pointers to again bring the Billies within striking distance at 42-40.
With a young supporting cast, Cole said he told his teammates to "stay focused, stay positive; we’re gonna pull through."
Junior forward Jordan Barnard helped the Bulldogs do just that down the stretch as he hit Burnet’s final two shots.
The Billies had a chance for the win in the final seconds of the game, but a failed 3-point attempt sealed the victory for Burnet.
Cole led the Bulldogs with 14 points. Kiser and Barnard had eight each, senior post Jacob Pollard had seven and Demone Belmarez had six.
Pollard had six of his points in the first quarter to lead the Bulldogs to a 13-9 first-quarter cushion.
"We were definitely prepared and excited," Pollard said. "We’re a big second-half team, but we try to come out hard in the first to let them know what the deal is."
Kiser dealt a punch of his own to end the first half for Burnet. Up 20-16 with about 1:30 left, the Bulldogs ran out time for the final shot. Cole dished to Kiser, who drained a three at the buzzer to give Burnet a 23-16 lead going into the half.
That type of effort from the entire team is what coach Kiser said his team would need to get the win.
"I knew we’d have to have that and they did a great job," Kiser said.
San Antonio Sam Houston awaits the Bulldogs in Class 3A, but time and location are not yet set.