Farmington Three Points Shy Of Win

FARMINGTON — The Cardinal boys basketball team rallied from an 18-point third quarter deficit, but couldn’t quite close the deal in a 52-47 loss at Russellville Feb. 13.

Senior Xavier Staten kept the Cardinals in the contest with a 21-point effort. He had 8 points in the second with the Cardinals trailing 32-26 at the half. Bryson George’s 3-pointer capped an 8-0 Russellville run to start the third. Down 42-24 Farmington coach Beau Thompson called time-out and reorganized the offense.

Staten made two foul shots and a 15-footer. Peyton Maxwell scored on a fast-break getting past retreating defenders and Staten did the same using a hesitation dribble to freeze the defense once he reached the free throw line. Farmington’s 10 unanswered points continued in the fourth when Maxwell got Staten the ball with the 6-4 senior isolated 1-on-1 in the paint.

Rhett Adkins powered in a basket for Russellville, but Farmington had found a groove. Maxwell put in his own miss. Staten’s strip and steal became an outlet to Maxwell, who found Skyler Montez streaking downcourt. Next Staten brought the ball up and in a role-reversal threw a lob to Maxwell underneath the goal for an easy bucket. Farmington pulled within 44-42 on Skyler Montez’ under-handed shot with 3:32 to go in the fourth.

From that juncture the game was nip and tuck. Javion White, who led Russellville with 17 points, made two free throws to extend the Cyclones’ lead to 48-42. Farmington answered with Maxwell screening for Staten and handing the ball off to him for an open trifecta at the top-of-the-key. Kade Shaffer missed both shots of the double bonus and the Cardinals capitalized. Maxwell’s 3-ball was off target, but Cade Killion’s putback drew Farmington within 48-47.

White hit two more free throws for Russellville. On the ensuing possession Skyler Montez drove to the goal and put back his own miss again keeping Farmington within a point, at 50-49.

White was fouled one more time and made 2-of-2 free throws for Russellville with 9.9 seconds remaining. Farmington got off a potential game-tying 3-pointer from the wing, but the shot was blocked. Junior guard Jayden Whitmore grabbed the rebound but his desperation shot at the buzzer missed and Russellville held on for the 52-49 win.