The Aldine Mustangs and the Chavez Lobos played in the first of two games at the Campbell Center Thursday night. Many may have picked Aldine to run over Chavez, but Thursday night the Lobos proved they could play with the Mustangs.

Neither offense was able to establish any momentum in the first quarter, but the lead swayed back and forth. Gary Johnson tied the game at 12 with a last second jumper to end the first period. The second period was very similar to the first as the point battle sea-sawed back and forth. Again, the Mustangs dropped in a final second shot but this time is was to take the lead. Aldine earned a 24-23 lead heading into halftime.

The Mustangs came out strong the second half and increased their lead close to double digits. The Mustang defense held the Lobos scoreless for the first four minutes of the second half giving the impression that Aldine might run away with the game. However, Chavez found their rhythm as Keandre Banks scored five straight points to bring the Lobos within three by the end of the third.

39-36.

It was a defensive battle in the final period, but Chavez was able to capture a one-point lead, after overcoming a seven-point deficit, with just under two minutes remaining in the game.
However, the Lobos would not be able to hang on as the Mustangs went on to win by a final of 58-54.

“We gave them an opportunity to win this game with some ill advised shots down the stretch,” explained Aldine’s coach Zeke Smith. “We just didn’t milk the clock like we should have.”

Although it was a close game, Coach Smith feels this might be a good thing for his Mustangs.

“We needed one of these games in the playoffs just like we needed one in the regular season,” said Smith.” “This team has a lot of character and knows what it takes to win.”

Leading scorers for Aldine were Gary Johnson with 20 points and Brandon Williams with 12 points. Leading the way for the Lobos was Jared Maree with 21 points as teammate Jamal Fenton dropped in 12.

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