Playing in just their second home game of the season, the Brownwood Lions were unable to overcome a slow start as they dropped a 60-42 decision to the Burnet Bulldogs Friday night at Warren Gym.
The Lions (8-7) fell behind 22-10 after one quarter, faced a 34-17 halftime deficit, and were down 53-26 heading to the fourth quarter.
“I didn’t think we were really ready to play,” said Lions first-year head coach Jorden Young. “When I think about Brownwood basketball I don’t think about really anything that went on today. It’s tough because I don’t want to take anything away from Burnet, but we just weren’t ready. We came out flat and you saw that. We were missing easy layups, not keeping the ball in front of us, it just felt like we we were asleep most of the game.”
Cannon Calvert scored a team-high 16 points for the Lions followed by 11 points from Durham Brown, four from Jordan Gilbert, three apiece from Bennett Windham, Santiago Alvizo and Carson Noe, and two points from Aaron Clevenger.
Burnet (10-5) received 16 points from Gavin Oakley, 11 from Jaxon Sparks, and 10 points from Elijah Pickens.
Falling in a double-digit hole before the first quarter ended made the challenge of finding their footing even more difficult for the Lions.
“We dug ourselves a hole and continued to dig it deeper,” Young said. “We would show flashes one or two possessions, but for whatever reason it just wasn’t there for us tonight unfortunately.”
The Lions, who have completed 15 games on their schedule, next host Brady at 2:30 p.m. Friday in their final game before the TexasBank Holiday Classic Dec. 29-31.
“I think we have what it takes, but as you saw tonight we have to play for each other and play as a team,” Young said. “I think a lot of times we have a lot of individuality and that’s what hurts us. We want to do things that don’t result in wins, self glory and selfishness that we need to try and get rid of. We have to understand Brownwood is going to win games because of Brownwood, not the number on your jersey.”
