ANDREW SALMI andrew.salmi@granitemedia partners.com
MANSFIELD — A late rally for Hutto High School boys varsity basketball came up just short Saturday, Dec. 2 when the Hippos fell 61-56 to the Eagles of Pearland Dawson High School on the final day of the Mansfield ISD Spring Creek BBQ Classic Tournament.
Despite being down by as many as 14 points to Dawson late in the second quarter, Hutto continued to fight and got within striking distance in the second half of this contest. The Hippos even got within a 57-55 deficit in the fourth quarter but were unable to take the lead down the stretch of regulation as the opposing Eagles held on.
In the loss, Hutto was led on the night by a strong showing from junior Jacob Bell with a team-high 18 points on three shots made from behind the arc, four steals and three assists. Hippos senior Jacques Calhoun was instrumental for Hutto in the comeback against Dawson as he also scored in double figures with 13 points and three rebounds.
Hutto also got balanced scoring on the evening from its trio of senior Zachary Hicks, senior Byron Piper and junior Chase Ellis.
Hicks had six points to go along with eight rebounds and five assists, Piper added six points and Ellis also had six points in the Hippos’ close loss.
Under Hutto Head Coach Gant Caraway, the Hippos (4-6 overall record) have a scheduled road game Tuesday night at Austin McNeil High School and then will travel to compete Dec.
7-9 at the New Braunfels Tournament.
