Tigerhawks inching closer to elusive first win

COLFAX — Sometimes basketball can be a simple game. And making free throws, taking care of the ball and maintaining composure can go a long way.

Unfortunately, the Colfax-Mingo boys’ basketball team learned that the hard way Thursday night.

Leading for 31 of the 32 minutes, the Tigerhawks missed 10 free throws in the fourth quarter and succumbed to Pleasantville’s full-court pressure too easily during a 51-48 home loss.

Joshua Luna buried a game-winning 3-pointer from the baseline with 7 seconds to play. And it came after Colfax-Mingo missed two free throws at the other end with 18 seconds on the clock.

“I feel for the kids. They have worked really hard,” Colfax-Mingo coach John Borts said.

“They need a win but just can’t quite get it done in the fourth quarter. We don’t execute as well as we want, we miss shots around the basket and we miss free throws. All that catches up to you in the end.”

And it certainly did Thursday against the Trojans in a non-conference contest.

The Tigerhawks led 12-7 after one and stayed in front by two at halftime.

They scored four of the final five points in the third to lead 37-33 after three.

However, the struggles at the line began with 20 seconds to go in the third.

The hosts missed six straight shots from the charity stripe and that kept the margin close enough for the Trojans (15-6) to put together a late rally.

The Tigerhawks, who dropped to 0-20 on the year, went 9-of-23 from the line in all.

“We’ve had some good opportunities to end the losing streak and this was the best opportunity,” Borts said. “Give (Pleasantville) credit for hitting the big shot there late. It’s a tough pill for the kids to swallow.”

Colin Lourens finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Tigerhawks, while Jacob Lietz had 17. But only four Colfax-Mingo players scored in the game.

Pleasantville, on the other hand, had three score in double-figures and four other players scored at least two points.

The game-winning 3-pointer by Luna came out of a timeout. He got loose along the baseline and buried perhaps the biggest shot of his career.

“We had a player not stick with someone. We knew we had to cover everybody. We knew they were good 3-point shooters,” Borts said. “We just made a mistake defensively. Credit their kid for knocking the shot down.”

While Lourens scored 16 of his 20 points in the first three quarters, Lietz was the Tigerhawks’ catalyst in the fourth.

Seven of his 17 came in the final frame. He broke a 42-all tie with a bucket with 1:23 to go and then put his team up one a bit later with a hoop and the harm.

The Tigerhawks led 48-45 after two free throws by Lourens with 35 seconds to play.

But the Trojans, which has won five in a row and 11 of their last 12, drew within one with 20 seconds to play following a putback by Trever Zoss.

And then, after two missed free throws by the Tigerhawks, Luna gave them the lead for good with the dagger from deep.

“The guys played really hard,” Borts said. “That’s why it’s so disheartening to not see them rewarded with a win at the end of a game.”

Luna finished with a team-high 14 points in the game, while Brady Elder buried three 3-pointers and scored 12.

Zoss chipped in 11 as the Trojans connected on eight shots from long range. The Tigerhawks made just one 3-pointer.

Jarod Nichols and Jared Myers each collected eight rebounds, while Lietz corralled six rebounds and dished out three assists. Blake Summy also had three assists.

The Tigerhawks’ busy week concludes Friday with a home game against Nevada. It will be the fourth game in five days for Colfax-Mingo.

The Tigerhawks begin postseason play at 7 p.m. Monday at Southeast Warren (3-17).

Pleasantville 7-16-10-19—51
Colfax-Mingo 12-13-12-11—48
Pleasantville (FG/3pt) — Van Haalen 1-2-2-4, Elder 3/3-3-2-12, Beier 1-0-1-2, Nichols 2/1-1-2-6, Zoss 5-1-3-11, Luna 5/4-0-3-14, Fouch 1-0-3-2. TOTALS 18/8-7-16-51.
Colfax-Mingo (FG/3pt) — Myers 2/1-0-4-5, Summy 0-0-2-0, Lietz 7-3-1-17, Lourens 7-6-3-20, Nichols 3-0-1-6. Deal 0-0-1-0. TOTALS 19/1-9-14-48.