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Boys Basketball: Despite Low Intensity, Mitchell Collects Road Win

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By EDDIE DANIELS

edaniels@tampatrib.com

Published: January 21, 2009

TAMPA - In Larry Holden's eyes, his Mitchell Mustangs could have done one of two things Wednesday night at Alonso: fight or fold.

Mitchell entered the game lacking the emotion Holden would've appreciated seeing. Adding to the low level of enthusiasm, Mustangs center Billy Hester went down with a left shoulder injury just three minutes into the contest.

The visitors managed to fight through the distractions as well as a feisty group of Ravens, winning, 61-44 in a class 6A-District 7 matchup.

"The one thing I'm proud about is that our kids found a way to win," Holden said. "They played hard, they did the things they had to do to win, both defensively and offensively. In the fourth quarter, I think we had a four or five point lead there and then, boy, we hit three buckets maybe on three possessions to get [the lead to] over 10.

Mitchell (13-5) enjoyed a modest, 25-20 advantage entering the third period without Hester, but a 3-pointer by Alonso guard Chris Williams at the 7:31 mark of the third, cut that lead down, 25-23.

Earl Walker and Chad Jeckel each were fouled on successful baskets in a one minute span in the third period. Each buried their free throws, allowing Mitchell to push ahead, 31-23. As promising as it appeared for the Mustangs, the Ravens fought back.

Behind, 31-26, Alonso's Williams was fouled as he attempted an unsuccessful 3-point shot. He hit 2-of-3 free throws, inching the Ravens closer, 31-28. Nearly four minutes later, Williams sank a 3-pointer, cutting the deficit, 35-32.

For Alonso (2-14), Wednesday night was the bright side of a season, which has seen the team endure five games in which the Ravens have lost by 20 points or more. The fight the team displayed wasn't that of a two-win program.

"We've had a lot of talks and gone through some tough times this season and something as a team we've really emphasized is character," Alonso coach Todd Price said. "We had a tough one last night in St. Pete [losing 70-35] and we sat down as a group and talked, not about X's and O's, but character."

In the fourth period, Mitchell began to extend its advantage, using a patient offense and sharp passing underneath the basket to Walker. Inlet passes and second chances led Walker to 12 points in the final period.

"Mitchell did an outstanding job of really executing and they made some plays and we didn't in the fourth quarter," Price said. "But that's a very well-coached team. They run a lot of good stuff."

Jeckel led all scorers with 25 points, with Walker collecting 17. Alonso was led by Williams' 17 points. Teammate Greg Wirth had 12.

Reporter Eddie Daniels can be reached at (813) 948-4214.

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