Sports

Hutto boys fourth in district

By Sydney Maxey
Wednesday, February 3, 2010 10:01 AM CST

The Hutto’s boys basketball team hosted Marble Falls Friday night. For both teams a win would put them at fourth place in the district standings, before beginning the second round of district. The game remained close all night before Hutto pulled away with a 55-52 win and fourth place in district.

Marble Falls scored the first shots of the night early in the first, but back-to-back drives by D.J. Wilson kept Hutto close behind the Mustangs. A 3-pointer, shot from the field and rebound and put back from Tevin Bellinger gave Hutto an 11-5 advantage. Denzel Bellinger then sank a 3-pointer and Wilson scored two baskets to end the first with the Hippos on top 18-12.

A back door look and a 3-pointer from Denzel Bellinger coupled with a layup from Wilson kept Hutto’s five point advantage at 27-22. Sterling Roth and Corwin Spears furthered Hutto’s lead, but Marble Falls quickly recovered to overtake Hutto in the second. The Hippos trailed Marble Falls by 3 points going into halftime, 31-34.

Robert Sykes got on the boards in the third quarter with three rebounds and put backs. A steal from Wilson and dunk on Hutto’s end of the court gave Hutto the go-ahead with a 5 point lead 42-37, but the Mustangs fought back to tie the game, 45-45.

Free throws and a shot from the field from the Mustangs put Hutto behind at 47-49 before Caraway called another timeout with 5:00 left in the game.

Denzel and Tevin Bellinger both scored shots from the paint to tie the game 51-51 and Caraway called his last timeout with 2:00 on the clock. Marble Falls made one additional free throw and Denzel Bellinger scored two foul shots to end the game and clinch the victory.

“We knew every possession counted. I told them not to relax,” Caraway said. “We not only adapted to their height. But [Marble Falls] is a great shooting team as well.”

“At the start of the game we were nervous,” Wilson admitted. “This was a big game. Winning it would increase our chances of making it to playoffs.”

Hutto began its second round of district Tuesday night against Hendrickson.

“We need to play all four quarters. Simple as that,” Caraway said.

“If we come out strong and don’t let up, we’ll take them,” echoed Wilson.