Athletes Connection - Fighting Bears fight to end, get win over Langham Creek

	Fighting Bears fight to end, get win over Langham Creek
	Tuesday February 19, 2008
	Written by Heather Burr

District 18-5A champs Hastings faced 17-5A Langham Creek in the first round of playoffs Tuesday night at Cinco Ranch.

Both teams shared control of the scoreboard through the third quarter but Hastings pulled out the win, 63-58.

“Langham Creek played pretty good,” Hastings coach Darrell Collins said. “They did a great job of breaking us down off the dribble so we will have to get better on defense. But it was just a good basketball game.”

Tied at nine in the first, Langham Creek’s Steven Bob-Nabena and Mike Jones sank baskets followed by Tommy Tyler with two free throws for a small lead. Lionel Foster ended the quarter for the Bears with a basket, still trailing 15-11.

Hastings tied it at 15 when Bob-Nabena made two free throws. The Lobos then got another small lead when Jeff Greene and Mackey McKnight each sank a three. Tied again, Micah Chester hit a three-point shot for the Lobos followed by a basket for a three-point lead at the half.

Point leader (24) Chris Iles started the third with a basket for Hastings bringing them within one. Iles’ next shot was a three with put the Bears in front. At the end of the quarter, Iles sank another three-point shot followed by a basket from Ja’Darius Davis and De’Everett Williams.

“That’s just Chris,” Collins said. “He can go out there and do it when he needs to. I appreciate everything he does for us and it’s a team.”

Williams’ basket in the third put the Bears at their highest lead of the game until he sank one on his own rebound in the fourth for an 11-point lead. Trailing 60-49, the Lobos went on a nine-point scoring run with 1:12 left in the game.

Hastings had possession of the ball and was fouled immediately. Alvin Mitchell made one-of-two free throws for a 61-58 lead. Langham Creek had to hit a three to tie. They made three attempts, wasting seconds, but came up short. Hastings ended the game with Iles shooting two free throws.