Bison men add two more district wins

Senior A.B. Bell flies to the hoop Friday at the Trinity H.S. gym. Van’Go’photo The Buffalo men won two games on the road this week to cement their standing as the district’s third place team.

CORRIGAN-CAMDEN

BHS had managed a come-from-behind victory over CCHS when the two teams met earlier in the season, and the Bison needed another win in Corrigan last Tuesday to solidify their playoff position. It was a long trip to Corrigan-Camden High School, and pretty much a long night for the BHS men and fans... right up to the point where the Bison stole what looked like a certain

victory from the Bulldogs.

There were only a few Bison fans left in the stands to enjoy it, but those who were there will long remember that fourth quarter.

Buffalo took the early lead 8-4, then succumbed to turnovers and trailed the Bulldogs 11-20 after one quarter of play. Things got uglier in the second period, as C-C exploded for 27 points and Buffalo slipped further behind, 28-47 at halftime. The Bison came out of the locker room with renewed determination, but the Bulldogs had an answer for everything BHS threw at them. C-C's advantage grew to 24 at one point, and even the Bison's redoubled efforts had only closed the gap to seventeen (44-61) going into the final eight minutes

BHS’ varsity cheerleaders drum up some spirit for their team at both home and away games. Cheering on the Bison and Lady Bison are (from left) Kayla Scott, Taylor Ayres, Tristan Brewer, Laken McCabe, Kara Sadler and Perla Holguin. Van’Go’photo Coach Warren Ringland's young men were still hitting it hard in the fourth, and superior conditioning seemed to come into play as they continued to chip away at their opponent's lead. At one point Jordan Canady was slammed while shooting a three-pointer. The ball still found the hoop and when Canady's "and one" made it a four-point swing, there was a definite shift in the momentum of the game. Micah Burnside-Jones was killing the Bulldogs from the low post position and Ryan Read sank two big treys. Saxton Sims and A.B. Bell kept the defensive pressure high. When the Bison got within ten points with three minutes left on the clock, it was clear that THEY believed they could catch the Bulldogs. A few buckets closer, and it seemed that the Bulldogs believed it, as well. C-C’s youngsters were fouling freely, and the Bison were capitalizing at the free throw line. In the final moments of the game C-C could do nothing right, and BHS could do nothing wrong. Deliberate fouls by the Bison put the Bulldogs at the line... and they missed. The Bison rebounded and scored. The Bulldogs missed their next shot and Canady took the ball back downcourt for the go-ahead bucket. Down by one, C-C had the ball with 9 seconds left on the clock. Their final shot failed to find its mark, and Bell came down with a decisive rebound and was fouled. Bell’s final free throw put BHS up by two with less than a second left on the clock and BHS won, 72-70.

Canady led all scorers with 31, including three treys and 12 of 14 free throws. Burnside-Jones contributed 20 and led the Bison in rebounds. Sims scored 8, Read 7 and Bell 6 to round out the scoring for BHS.

After the game, Coach Ringland summed it up succinctly: “That was a sweet comeback.”

VS TRINITY

February 12 found the Bison in Trinity for the nextto last district game of the season. Canady, Burnside- Jones, Bell and Sims scored in the high-energy first quarter and the Bison led 17-11.

The second quarter found several of BHS’ starters in foul trouble, and the Tigers made a run, knocked down a couple of three-pointers and were able to tie the game at 22-all. The Bison reclaimed the lead and took a three-point advantage into the locker room (28-25), but Canady twisted an ankle just before the half.

With the team’s leading scorer at less than 100%, the Bison needed someone to take the helm and Saxton Sims stepped up. Sims led the Bison with a huge quarter -- ten points, four rebounds, two steals, an assist and a block. Bell poured in ten points as well to put the Bison comfortably back on top, 54- 40, going into the final quarter. With the second unit on the floor, the Bison cruised on to a 70-60 victory.

Four Bison finished in double figures: Bell, Sims, Canady and Burnside-Jones (with 15, 14, 14 and 10 respectively). Creagor Elsom added 5, Tate Hartley and Cain Hayes scored 4 each, Curtis Yates added a bucket, and Read added a pair of free throws. Four players contributed three-pointers and BHS hit 19 of 29 (66%) at the line.

This Tuesday the Bison wrap up district play by hosting the New Waverly Bulldogs. Come out and support the team as they look to upset the state’s #1-ranked team, and as they begin post-season competition.