Loboes Take It On The Chin In 48-47 Loss To Panthers
    By Randy Hogan - Staff Writer  ~   The Monahans News - January 13, 2006

Cole Cornelius sank a three-point shot from the right side of the circle as time expired Tuesday night, but it wasn't enough to pull out the win as Fort Stockton escaped the Jerry Larned Sports Complex with a 48-47 victory.

Monahans (1-3 District 3-3A), held a 25-18 lead at the intermission, but a fierce scoring barrage by Omar Calderon of the Panthers closed the gap in the third period.

"We couldn't stop their run in the third period," Coach Thomas Clay said.  "We changed personnel to try and stop them, but they controlled the game in the third."

The Loboes, needing a win to stay even in the district race, had key shooting performances from Blake Whisnand and Ricky Rivera in the first half.  Whisnand muscled in 10 points in the first two periods, and Rivera finessed 6 of his own to pace the Loboes to a seven-point lead at the break.

"We need Ricky to be an offensive player," Clay said.  "He is so reluctant to take shots and unselfishly passes to others.  But we need to be able to press more on offense, and he did a good job for us in the first half."

The night marked the first start of the season for Chris Collins in the Lobo lineup.  His big smile on the opening tip revealed his excitement, and Collins quickly turned up the heat by applying pressure on the Panthers offense the entire night.

Collins scored six points for the Green, getting his fist bucket with 1:50 to play in the second period on an assist from Rivera.

In a coaching move this week, Chris Bates made the transition from the junior varsity into the varsity rotation.  Bates scored six points on the night, including three key first-half free throws.

The Loboes began the second half strong getting a quick bucket from Collins to move the scored to 27-20.

Moments later, Whisnand followed with a basket to give MHS a 29-20 lead with 6:52 to play in the third period.

The defensive pressure of the Loboes forced a Panther turnover, and Justin Patterson pushed the ball up court and filled the net to give Monahans a huge 11-point lead at the 6:31 mark on the game clock.

The Panthers responded as Calderon sank a three pointer from a long range to close the scoring gap to 31-23.

Sean Merrick went to the free throw line and hit the first of his two attempts.  The second shot bounced off the rim and Collins reeled in the rebound.

Collins went back up and scored to complete the play and give the Loboes the double-digit lead back 34-23 with 5:53 remaining in the third period.

Fort Stockton (1-2 District 3-3A), picked up free throws from Colby Terazes and J.J. Hickman to make a push at the Lobo lead.

Whisnand answered back with a power drive to the basket to extend the Green's lead to 36-26 with 4:51 to play in the period.

Ironically Whisnand's score would be the last for the Loboes in the third period as the Panthers ran off 12 consecutive points to go into the final set with a 41-36 lead over Monahans.

Calderon led the Panther charge with nine points in the third period.

"Omar is a streaky shooter, when he's on, he's on.  He really gave us a lot of energy in the third period forcing turnovers and hitting the big shots," said Joe Flores, the Panther's head coach.  "He made a big difference in the ball game tonight."

The fourth period began with Bates scoring the opening bucket for the Green.  After a FSHS scored, Cole Cornelius made good on a free throw, and the Loboes trailed 39-43.

Bates went to the free throw line and connected on one of his two attempts to draw the Loboes within three points midway through the final period.

Monahans fans were treated to thunder and lightning on the next MHS possession as Whisnand put the Green within one point on a power move to the basket.

On the play, Bates stole the ball from the Panthers and dished off to Whisnand in the lane.  Whisnand knocked down the shot for two-points , and was fouled in the process.

The free throw attempt was not successful, but the Loboes had pulled to within striking distance at 42-43 with 3:57 remaining in the game.

Whisnand finished the night as the games leading scorer with 16 points.

The game remained locked going into the final minute of play, before the Panthers went five of ten from the free throw line to take a 48-42 lead with 9 seconds to play.

"We started slow, and that's been our season," Flores said.  "We hit some big free throws in the fourth period and it worked out for us."

Fort Stockton finished the night 18-33 from the free throw line.

After a Monahans time out, Merrick drove the lane and scored a two-point bucket with five seconds on the game clock.

"We had hoped to draw a defender off to one of our shooters," Clay said.  "They never bit on it and Merrick took the shot."

The Loboes immediately fouled Michael Rivera, sending him to the line.  Rivera missed each of his free throw attempts and Coach Clay called time out with only two ticks left on the clock.

The inbound pass came to Cornelius and he drained the net from long range at the buzzer, but the Loboes came up one point short 47-48 in a heartbreaking district game.

"We had lots of shot opportunities at the end," Coach Clay said.  "But we just could not get them to drop."

Cole Cornelius finished the game with six points for the Loboes.

For the Panthers, former Lobo standout Joe Flores made his return home as the head coach of Fort Stockton successful, and had praise for his alma mater.

"Coach Clay has done a great job with his team," Flores said.  "They have had some injuries and a slow start, but he's got them to play hard.  We are fortunate to get out of here with a win."

The win was bitter sweet for Flores, whose team, much like Monahans, needed a win.

"I enjoy coming to Monahans,  It is always fun to come home and play in my old gym, it brings back memories, Flores said.  "But winning here is nice too."

Monahans will take a break from district action and travel to Kermit Friday to renew a rivalry game with the Yellowjackets.

Keyed by Melissa Ramirez, Senior