11 threes for Marble Falls boys squad not enough in district loss to Vandegrift
JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF
AUSTIN — The Marble Falls High School boys basketball team lost 76-63 to Leander Vandegrift on Jan. 7.
But the game was much closer than the score indicated.
With two-and-a-half minutes left in the game, the Vipers only led by four points.
“We called a timeout to point out that fact, that it’s go time,” Mustangs head coach Neil Laminack said. “We go out of the timeout and throw it straight to (the Vipers) on two straight times.”
That ignited Vandegrift, which did enough the rest of the way for the win.
“Vandegrift shot unbelievable,” Laminack said. “That’s what they do. Their guys aren’t that big, but they can shoot.”
Laminack said his team didn’t perform badly. In fact, Marble Falls hit 11 3-pointers during the contest and was 14 of 21 from the foul line.
The Mustangs got scoring from a slew of players, including seniors Aidin Parnell, Jordan Wright and Zuri Buchanan and junior Chris Hooten, who made his varsity debut. The four made all of the team’s 3-pointers.
Laminack said Hooten’s shooting didn’t surprise him.
“He got his opportunities,” he said. “He is without a doubt the best shooter in the program.”
Buchanan was able to show the shooting touch Laminack thought he always had, and the coach was pleased to see Parnell and Wright take advantage of their opportunities, too.
jfierro@thepicayune.com
ON OFFENSE: points (Marble Falls) – Jordan Wright 12 (three 3-pointers), Aidin Parnell 11 (two 3-pointers), Chris Hooten 12 (four 3-pointers), Danny Rivara 11, Zuri Buchanan 10 (two 3-pointers), Ben Stripling 5, Kylen Skonning 2; (Vandegrift) – Ryan Brewster 16, Davis Florence 14, Nick Fionda 10, Hunter Gross 10, Luke Peterman 8, Zach Hartman 7, William Graham 6, Christopher Fernandes 3, Christian Holt 1, Justin Hirschhorn 1
RECORDS: Marble Falls is 10-15 overall and 0-3 in District 25-4A; Vandegrift is 11-9 overall and 2-2 in district.
UP NEXT: 7 p.m. Jan. 10, Marble Falls vs. Cedar Park Vista Ridge at Max Copeland Gym, 2101 Mustang Drive in Marble Falls
DISTRICT 25-4A STANDINGS:
Cedar Park, 3-0
Leander, 3-1
Dripping Springs, 2-1
Vandegrift, 2-2
Rouse, 2-2
Marble Falls, 0-3
Vista Ridge, 0-3