GIDDINGS — The Granger Lions’ boys varsity basketball season ended in a 42-40 loss to the Weimar Wildcats on Tuesday, Feb. 18, in the bi-district round of the playoffs.
The Lions had a chance to take the lead with two free throws and 3.9 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter but couldn’t convert, allowing the Wildcats to close out the victory.
The game was a back-and-forth defensive battle, with both teams struggling to score early. Granger held a slim 6-5 lead at the end of the first quarter, with senior guard Issac Campos accounting for four of those points.
The Lions stumbled to start the second quarter, as Weimar went on a 6-0 run to take an 11-6 lead. However, Campos responded with two 3-pointers to put Granger back in front, 15-13. The Lions carried a 19-17 advantage into halftime.
Out of the break, the Wildcats opened with a quick three and a layup to take a 22-19 lead. Granger trailed 29-24 heading into the fourth quarter, where Weimar built its largest lead of the game at 34-25.
The Lions answered with an impressive 9-0 run to tie the game at 34, with junior Caleb Tucker scoring four points during that stretch. The Wildcats briefly regained a 36-34 advantage before junior Kye Welles hit a 3-pointer to give Granger its first lead since halftime.
Weimar responded with a layup and free throw to go up 39-37, but Tucker answered with another three to put the Lions ahead 40-39 with 30.3 seconds left. The Wildcats drained the clock inside 10 seconds and converted a difficult layup to reclaim the lead, 41-40, with seven seconds remaining.
Following a foul on Campos, Granger had a chance to go back in front with two free throws but came up short.
Campos led the team with 16 points, while Tucker had 11 and Welles added nine.
The Lions finished the season with an 18-10 overall record and a 10-2 mark in district play, placing second.
