In a game that featured 90 free throws – including 70 in the second half, 35 apiece in each quarter – the Brownwood Lions twice in the fourth quarter trimmed a 10-point deficit to a single bucket, but were unable to get over the hump in an 85-82 season-ending loss to the Mineral Wells Rams Tuesday night at Warren Gym.
Despite a valiant effort, the Lions finished the season with their 10th straight setback, were denied a District 6-4A victory in eight tries, and posted a 10-24 overall record.
“It was an exciting game and we had a lot of opportunities,” said Lions head coach Will Parker. “I’m really proud of the guys and their effort and staying mentally in the game. I’m super proud of our seniors for getting out there and playing hard.”
Hayden Noe paced the Lions – who sank 24 of 46 free throws and committed 26 turnovers – with 22 points followed by 19 from Casey Friebel, 11 from Morsello Hooker, nine from Ross Strasner, five each from Hayden Proffitt and Noah Pyle, four apiece from Weston Wolf and Ike Hall, and three points from Carson Noe.
Mineral Wells (9-26, 4-4) – which knocked down 34 of 44 free throws with 17 turnovers – was sparked by 17 points from Jaidun Fisher, 15 apiece from Preztynn Harrison and Jordan Fisher, and 12 points from Charlie Ramsay.
The Lions and Mineral Wells were tied at 13 after one quarter, the Rams grabbed a 33-31 halftime lead, and Brownwood surged back in front, 54-53, heading to the fourth period.
Knotted at 60 with 6:07 remaining, the Lions fell victim to a 13-3 Mineral Wells run and faced a 73-63 deficit with 3:19 to go. Brownwood crept within 73-70 with 2:09 left on the clock after a pair of Friebel free throws, but the Rams stretched the advantage to 80-70 with 51 seconds to go. The Lions fired back with a 9-2 spurt to get within 82-79 on after a Friebel three-point play with 12 seconds left, but the Rams answered on the other end.
Looking to the future following a disappointing 2023-24 campaign that will end without a postseason appearance, Parker said, “We have open gym every Sunday from spring break to Thanksgiving, that’s 36 straight Sundays. We’ve done it for three years now. We do it for fifth grade through 12th grade, and if our kids will take advantage of those opportunities, we’ll be a very good program. We’ve got some really dedicated juniors, sophomores and freshmen coming in, and if they will buy in to putting the time in, then good things will happen.”
