Burnet boys basketball loses to La Vega

CAPTION: Senior Jaxon Sparks exemplified what head coach Juston Weldon wanted in his point guard – unselfish, tough and the ability to make the right decisions at the right time. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography

The Burnet High School boys basketball team lost to Waco La Vega 65-49 Feb. 24 to end the season.

“We’re really proud of our kids for making the playoffs,” Burnet assistant coach Carter Carruthers said.

Senior Braven Briant nailed a 3-pointer for an 8-5 lead with 4 minutes left in the first quarter. But the Pirates answered. With the score tied at 8-8 with under three minutes remaining, La Vega stole the ball and converted a layup that prompted the Bulldogs to call a timeout.

After that, the two teams exchanged baskets though La Vega led 15-14 when a 3-pointer connected from the penetration line. A layup increased the advantage to 21-14.

Senior J.J. Whigham scored a 3-pointer to trim the deficit to 29-22 early in the third quarter.

But the Pirates kept a three-possession lead the rest of the way though senior Jaxon Sparks and junior Cameron Edwards dropped in 3-pointers to keep the Bulldogs within striking distance.

Burnet had a 46 percent field goal percentage and was perfect from the foul line. La Vega shot 41 percent from the floor and out rebounded the Bulldogs 28-21 and had 10 steals compared to three for Burnet.

Going into the contest, Carruthers said the Bulldogs were aware of what the Pirates presented.

“La Vega is very athletic, but our kids were really locked in because they won a tough game against Marble Falls (57-50 Feb. 3), and then they went on the road and everybody had success against Jarrell (68-32 Feb. 17). It takes everybody to win any game. Even if you don’t go on the court, it takes you playing your role of being a positive teammate.”

He noted seniors Briant, Eli Perkins, Sparks, Parker Wenger and Whigham exemplified what it means to be a Bulldog and gave everything they had throughout the season.

Perkins, Sparks and Whigham each had defining games against the Mustangs that propelled the program into the postseason.

In game one Jan. 2, Whigham hit six 3-pointers for a 43-38 road victory. Then Sparks and Perkins followed that by scoring 30 and 17 points respectively in the rematch for the win.

“Jaxon Sparks just was not going to lose that game,” Carruthers said.

CAPTION: Burnet senior Eli Perkins did all he could to help protect the paint throughout the season. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography