Runnin’ Goats break even last week

The Runnin’ Goats were at home on Tuesday January 26th against the Robinson Rockets. The Rockets are presently 5th in district but have played several of the top teams in district closely.

The Goats came out a little off their game as the Rockets pulled them out of their 3/2 defense and forced them to play man to man. The Goats found themselves down 17-28 at the half. The Goats fought their way back and were able to tie the score up at the end of 3 quarters. Once the Goats got the lead they were not about to let it slide and came out with a 53-47 win.

Kevin Waller owned the paint scoring 16 points, 16 rebounds, and knocking out 5 blocked shots. Trey Perkins helped control the inside game hitting 14 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. Omar Cooper had 9 points and 5 rebounds. Chase Burrow added 7 more points, 3 assists, and 4 rebounds.

On Friday the Goats headed over to Lorena to face the 11th ranked Leopards who were 3-1 in district and in a three-way tie for first. The Goats started out with tough defense and a patient offense to take a lead of 11-7 at the end of the firstquarter. Lorena was not going away though and they pulled ahead to lead at the half 23-17 thanks to three big three pointers from Underwood. TheRunnin Goats beat the Leopards in the third quarter but were still down 24-29. With about 5 minutes left in the game Burrow hit a three pointer to pull the game within 3 points. Lorena’s McAninch fired back hitting along three pointer to put it back to six points. The Leopards got 14 attempts at the free throw line in the quarter and the Goats were unable to swing the game back into their favor. The Leopards won the game 54-37. Caleb Holbrook led the Goats with 9 points and 7 rebounds.

Perkins had 8 points and 6 rebounds. Cooper had another 6 points, 3 rebounds and 1 blocked shot. Michael Graves had 5 points, 3 rebound, and 2 assists.

The Freshmen team played the visiting Rockets in a very close game. They were down at the half 13-9, but kept after them until time ran out and they lost by 3, 34-31. Matthew Barnes scored 19 points for theGoats including 12 in the fourth quarter alone. The Goats found themselves down the whole game against Lorena, but in the fourth quarter they stepped up their defense and held theLeopards to only 3 free throws in the final quarter. The Goats last effort fell short leaving them down 44-37 atthe final buzzer. Barnes again led scoring 15 points. Michael Adams added another 9 points.

The Goats begin the second round of district with a record of 2-3 and 13-13 overall. They continue their quest to reach the top of district and keep their playoff hopes alive with Connally at home on Tuesday February 2nd. They take on the 19th ranked La Vega Pirates on Friday in Groesbeck. They then travel over to Mexia on Tuesday February 9th to take on the 10th ranked Black- Cats in the battle of the river.