Lehman strips 54-52 win from Lions in overtime

By Alonzo Garza
POST-REGISTER

The Varsity Lions traveled to Kyle and tipped off against the Lehman Lobos in an exciting district 26-4A match up on Friday, Jan. 11. The game ended with an overtime score of 54-52.
“We had a lot of opportunities at the free throw line but were unable to take advantage of them,” Coach Glenn Rotzler said.
The Lions fe

ll behind early in the game, trailing 11-2 with four minutes remaining in the first quarter. They battled back with solid defense and a run of their own to trim the lead to four at the end of the first period for a score of 13-9.
Lehman created a sizable lead during the opening half of the second quarter for a 20-12 score. The Lions fought back and closed the lead to eight with less than a minute left in the quarter.
A basket in the paint and two free throws by Joseph Torrez cut the Lehman lead to 24-20 at the halftime break.
The Lions played the Lobos aggressively throughout the third quarter to keep the game close. At the end of the third the score was 34-29 with Lehman holding a slim lead.
The Lions overcame the third quarter deficit, outscoring the Lobos to tie the game at 46 at the end of regulation play.
In overtime, the Lions fell behind early but fought back to take the lead with 1:45 remaining and a score of 52-50.
Solid defense by the Lobos stopped the Lions from scoring further. The Lobos prevailed, winning 54-52 in overtime.
“The Lions continue to work hard and battle,” Rotzler said.
Solid performances by Johnathon Gonzales, who scored 15 points and recovered six rebounds, Jason Sanders and his 12 points and four rebounds and Jeremiah Johnson with eight points and five rebounds all contributed to the great game against Lehman.
The Clemens Buffaloes trampled the Varsity Lions on their own turf on Tuesday, Jan. 8. The final score on the Lion’s Den scoreboard was 81-51.
The first quarter ended at 18-11 with the Lions trailing. By the end of the second quarter Clemens had a 10-point lead with a score of 41-31. After halftime, the Buffaloes stampeded onto the courts and dominated the remaining quarters. Third quarter ended at 54-39 and the game was over with a 30-point deficit for the Lions and a score of 81-51.
Sanders scored 12 points in the game making him the high scorer for the night. Gerald Cuellar and Gonzales each scored 10 points for the Lions while Xavier Moore made his contribution with seven, Hector Rangel with five, Joseph Gonzales with three, Demetrius Joseph with two and Christian Estrada and Jeremiah Johnson with one point apiece.
The Lions faced the New Braunfels Unicorns at home on Monday, Jan. 14. Check next week’s Post-Register for highlights and scores.
Lions will travel to Del Valle to play against the Cardinals on Friday, Jan. 18.
See you at the game.
agarza@post-register.com