Cardinals hold off Aztecs
Senior Javi Avalos scores a game-high 17 points for LHS
Lindsay High School’s boys basketball team had their mental toughness tested in Tuesday night’s 56-52 win at home over Farmersville.
Lindsay High School’s boys basketball team had their mental toughness tested in Tuesday night’s 56-52 win at home over Farmersville.
Trailing early in the third quarter, the Cardinals (3-3) scored 13-unanswered points to take a lead that they were able to carry into the final seconds of the game. It was their third game in less than a week decided by single-digits, and the second time the Cardinals came out on top.
“That’s what we needed, to come out on top,” LHS head coach Frank Morin said. “We had some close ones that really didn’t go our way so it, pushed our mental toughness and tested us, we had some battles. We had some battles, outside the lines, inside the line. So as a team we’re just creating, coming together as a team and hopefully everybody is responding well and I thought that we saw that at the end of the game.”
Senior Javi Avalos led the team in scoring with 17 points and caused a problem for the Aztecs (0-1) with his drives to the baskets. Avalos carried the team in the first half, posting 12 points and assisting on scores from players like senior Ernie Bautista and sophomore Isaac Munoz.
Midway through the third quarter, Avalos limped off the court due to an injury and that’s when Munoz stepped and knocked down three 3-pointers to aid the Cardinals’ 13-0 run. “He shot the ball really well today, he’s been coming on really well this season,” Munoz said. “It was a scare when Javi went down, but I was proud of the fact that...we were still trying to execute, still trying to push through, but I think it was more of shock than anything. We didn’t bounce back like we should’ve, but we didn’t fold either.”
The game was tight from the beginning with Lindsay pulling in front with an 11-8 first quarter lead, but ending the second quarter with the score tied at 28 after four ties and three lead changes.
Both Farmersville’s Raymond Paramo and Miguel Cabrera scored four points apiece in the third quarter and led their team
with 13 and 14 points, respectively.
Starting the fourth quarter with a 44-37 lead, Lindsay was able to extend the lead to as much as 10 points after a pass from senior Richie Hernandez led to an Avalos layup. Despite the lead the Cardinals were outscored 15-11
in the final quarter, but good defense from Bautista, who finished with 10 points, and sophomore Julian Avalos kept the Aztecs at bay.
“As a whole I was really happy with the bench especially, when they came off they were ready to play for the most part,” Morin said. “And the chemistry was there of guys working on the floor together. That’s been a real testament because we have
11 seniors, so guys are shuffling in and out and they’re really having to respond really fast to what’s going onto the floor. That’s been a blessing in disguise because we have guys who know what’s going on as far as offense and defense.”
Lindsay’s next game is Wednesday, Dec. 13 against El Diamante (01) in the Tulare Holiday Classic at Tulare Union High School.