Boys Bounced in Sweet 16

After a close win in the second round vs Cheyenne Mountain, the Boys’ Hoop Squad suffers a tough loss against Pueblo Central.

Photo by Ed Gloor

With a strong showing by forward Eric Andres, the Boys’ Basketball team won their second round playoff game 50-46 against Cheyenne Mountain on Friday, February 24.

TJ got off to a slow start, and were quickly down by ten points at the half. TJ had low offensive production and only had 17 points at the end of the half. “We had to find a way,” said Laman.  “We just never quit.” TJ did find a way in the third quarter, completely dominating Cheyenne Mountain with a 14-6 run. With TJ only down by two points going into the final quarter, the Spartans found a way to win the game.

“We didn’t take our final lead until there were only nine second left to go,” said Laman. After a great showing in the fourth quarter, TJ made the lay-up to put themselves up and ice the game from there. Once TJ won the game, the team and fan base rushed the floor in pure jubilation from the win. “There is no other feeling like winning a playoff game,” said Laman.

TJ would then put their talents up against Pueblo Central on Saturday, February 25, who was the three seed in their bracket, and lost 51-49 with forward Treyvon Andres scoring 16 points.

“It was a tough loss,” Laman simply summed up. Central jumped out to a quick lead over the Spartans, and had a nine-point lead at half time. Central’s offense was making most shots from the floor and converted on the put-backs that they obtained. Yet, just as they did in the Cheyenne Mountain game, TJ fought back to make the game very interesting. They outscored Central by two points in the third and five points in the fourth.

TJ just couldn’t keep up with Central as floor captains Jordan Roland and Antonio Clark fouled out of the game. Laman had to force his hand and go to the bench to fill in the guard position. “We had the complete opposite feeling then from the night before,” said Laman. “But it was a good season, and I’m proud of our guys.”

The Spartans now move on from a up-and-down season looking forward to next year, with the Andres’ brothers having another year of experience, and the team looks to lean on them for the low-block offense.