ANDREW SALMI andrew.salmi@granitemedia partners.com
HUTTO — The Hutto High School boys varsity basketball team had a pivotal 6A-District 12 home game Friday, Jan. 26 versus Temple High School. In need of a victory to help towards the playoff race, the Hippos came back in the second half for a 50-38 win over the Wildcats.
The Hippos got off to a slow start offensively and struggled from the field in the first half. Down 26-18 at halftime, Hutto chipped away at the Temple lead and got to within a 33-28 deficit by the end of the third quarter.
In a fourth quarter where everything clicked, Hutto locked in on defense and the offense came to life as the Hippos outscored the visiting Wildcats 22-5 down the stretch of regulation. The Hippos were led on the evening by junior Cylin Tate as he had 13 points, three rebounds, three steals, two assists and one blocked shot. Hutto senior Byron Piper also was a major factor in the Hippos’ second-half rally as he had 11 points on a trio of three-pointers made, four steals, two rebounds and one assist.
Hippos senior Jacques Calhoun had seven points to go along with three rebounds and two steals, while sophomore Brian Caldwell also added seven points, three rebounds and three steals.
Hutto (13-14 overall, 4-4 district record) under Head Coach Gant Caraway is now the No. 3 seed in the district behind Harker Heights High School and Pflugerville Weiss High School. The Hippos are scheduled Jan. 30 for a road game at Copperas Cove High School and will return home Friday, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. to host Bryan High School.
