HUTTO — The Hutto Hippos boys varsity basketball team picked up a massive win over the Round Rock Dragons, 69-65, on Tuesday, Jan.
28. Senior guard Cylin Tate led the team with 20 points.
The Hippos started the game with four straight points from Tate, taking an early 4-2 lead. Both teams traded baskets in the first quarter as Hutto was down 10-8, but a couple of baskets from senior guard Jacob Bell and Tate gave the Hippos a 12-10 lead. Bell tallied 13 points. Hutto closed the quarter with a slim 14-13 deficit, but a 3-pointer from Bell made it 16-14. Junior forward Brian Caldwell drained a 3-pointer to give the Hippos a 21-18 lead. Caldwell finished the game with 12 points.
Hutto was able to hold on to that advantage, heading into halftime up 30-26. The Hippos started to pull away in the third quarter, going on a 12-5 run to take their first double- digit lead, 42-31, after strong performances from Caldwell, Bell and Tate.
Hutto went into the fourth quarter with a commanding 51-37 lead.
However, Round Rock would not give up easily as the game turned physical. The Dragons went on a 20-15 run to cut the lead to single digits, 65-57.
Tate made a free throw to make it 66-57, but Round Rock hit a 3-pointer to get within striking distance.
The Hippos held on after late-game free throws from senior forward Chase Ellis and Tate sealed the victory.
With the win, Hutto improves to 6-6 in district play as it keeps its postseason hopes alive.
The Hippos are currently ranked fifth in the standings, two games behind Vandegrift as they look to make up ground hosting the Vipers on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 7 p.m. Hutto will first have to face topranked Stony Point on Friday, Jan. 31.
