Loboes Fall Short In Loss To Panthers, But Showing Improvement
    By Randy Hogan, Staff Writer ~ The Monahans News, December 20, 2005

The Monahans Loboes made a big push late in the game, but could not overcome a big Jal lead, dropping the game 63-57.

"You spend so much energy coming back that some times you just don't have enough to finish it," Coach Thomas Clay said. "We just couldn't get over the hump tonight."

Trailing 28-18 to the Panthers with only 18 seconds to play in the first half, Chris Collins ripped down the rebound off a Jal missed free throw attempt, and the Loboes quickly pushed the ball up court. Collins took the ball to the hoop, scoring just before time expired to cut the halftime lead to 28-20.

The Loboes forced a Jal turnover to start the third period, and Ricky Rivera passed to Chris Roberson with an open look at the basket. Roberson took the jump shot from the left of the key and drained the net for two points, keeping the Loboes close.

On MHS' next possession, Rivera recorded another assist, feeding Blake Whisnand. Whisnand put the ball up and in the basket, and Monahans trailed 30-24.

Sean Merrick added another field goal on an inbounds pass from Cole Cornelius with 5:01 to play in the third period.

The Loboes began to trade baskets with the  Panthers, picking up field goals from Roberson, and Isaiah Alford.

Jal stretched their lead to 11 points midway through the fourth period, trailing 50-37 with 5:25 to play in the game.

When things looked their worst, MHS turned up the heat, picking up a field goal from Whisnand and collecting a three point ringer from Cornelius.

"We have been waiting for his stroke to come," Clay said. "I knew he could shoot well, and tonight was easily his best game so far."

Roberson would showcase his quickness by diving for a loose ball and getting it into the hands of Whisnand. The big man went up and filled the net with the ball, closing the scoring gap to 52-44. Whisnand scored 14 total points on the night to lead the Loboes in scoring.

Monahans applied intense defensive pressure on each Panther possession, forcing turnovers and bad shots.

Roberson sliced to the basket two times in 23 seconds to add four points to his 12 point total for the game, and suddenly the Loboes were within six points again with 2:44 to play in the game.

Cornelius would find all net on his second three point shot from beyond the circle to take the game to 56-51, before Roberson dazzled the crowd with a shot to pull the Loboes with in 3 points with 1:20 to play on the game clock.

Jal benefited from free throw attempts down the stretch to keep the Loboes at bay.

Merrick hit a two-point shot and drew the foul on the play.  The bonus shot was no good, but Cornelius pulled in a rebound and immediately put it back up, and in the basket for two-points.

The effort was good, but the Loboes could not overcome the Panthers down the stretch.

"We are rotating a lot of people in and out of the game to see who can play," Clay said.  "We haven't had enough practice time up and down the floor.  So we are still trying to figure out who can play."

The Loboes travel to Greenwood Tuesday for the first district game of the season.

"They are big and athletic," Clay said.  "We'll have to be quick on defense."