Roseboro-Salemburg Middle’s boys eked out a 50-48 overtime win over rival Hobbton Monday afternoon. Free throws were the key.
In fact, it was free throws – those made and those that didn’t fall – that painted the afternoon’s game picture for the young Leopards who hosted Hobbton in what started out being a very evenly matched game.
“This was one of the best middle school games I’ve ever seen,” said Hobbton coach Jackson Temple. “There was a lot of heart and hustle out there on that court. I was proud of both teams. This was two great teams going at each other. It was electric in that gym, and it was a hard-fought game by both teams.”
R-S took the early 15-10 lead in the first quarter and managed to hold off a Hobbton attack to take a 25-19 lead into the half.
The Leopards held onto their lead during the third quarter, ending ahead by 6, 35-29.
Hobbton, however, refused to go away, and had the hot hand in the fourth period, outscoring the home team 10 to 1.
“We just shut down in the fourth quarter,” said R-S coach Todd Wheeler. “Hobbton was playing good basketball. They made a couple of 3-pointers; in fact, everything was working for them and we couldn’t buy a bucket.”
That’s where the free throws counted, or in Roseboro-Salemburg’s case, didn’t. The young Leopards were only 1 for 9 at the line in the fourth period, but despite Hobbton’s comeback, R-S was able to hold on to keep the score tied as time ran out.
In overtime, it was free throws, again, that made the difference, this time in favor of R-S.
Zack Tanner was 10 for 13 at the line, and sank the the final points at the charity stripe that gave R-S the 50-48 win.
“It was a really good game, a tough game, too,” Wheeler said. “Hobbton is a really good team, well coached.”
Temple praised his team’s effort throughout the game. “I cannot tell you how proud I am of these young men for continuing to push, continuing to put the pressure on. They kept coming after them on offense and defense,” he said, noting that his team has been playing that way all season, pushing through adversity.
“We’ve been preaching that style play all year and the kids have responded well to it,” Temple added.
Leading scorers for the young Leopards were Tanner with 21 points, Keshawn Bailey, 5 points; Tyler James, 4; and Johnny Owens, 3.
For Hobbton, Omar Farrior led scoring with 20 points. Raquan Byrant had 14 points, 10 rebounds; Calaeb Robinson, 8 points, 11 rebounds; and Walter Thompson, 7 points.
Hobbton’s record moves to 3-5.
R-S moves to 6-1 overall.
Girls get win
The Hobbton Middle girls improved their record Monday, defeating the R-S Lady Leopards 23-13.
Coach Parenza Best said he was pleased with his team’s defense which, he noted, was getting better every game.
During the game, Best was able to give many of his girls an opportunity to play. “I was proud of their effort,” he said.
Leading scorers for Hobbton were Nina Devane, 15 points; Ashley Hinterliter, 4; Denise Lamb, 2; and McKenzie Williams, 2.
Hobbton’s record moves to 4-4. They meet Union on Thursday.
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