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Hornets edge New Braunfels in thriller, sting San Marcos




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East Central’s Anston Bryant-Kelley (35) makes a thunderous block on the San Marcos shot Jan. 28. The Hornets travel to Canyon Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. TERRI REAL/Contributor

East Central’s Anston Bryant-Kelley (35) makes a thunderous block on the San Marcos shot Jan. 28. The Hornets travel to Canyon Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. TERRI REAL/Contributor

As the 2019-20 basketball regular season races toward its inevitable conclusion, the energy and excitement surrounding each critical game ramps up to a fevered pitch. The last three weeks of the season are, for all intents and purposes, playoff basketball.

This was exactly the atmosphere that the East Central Hornets found themselves in when they traveled north on I-35 to New Braunfels to take on the Unicorns Jan. 31. At a packed New Braunfels Field House, the Hornets rallied late in the fourth quarter to win a thriller, 75-71.

“That was truly playoff basketball there and that is something that you just can’t duplicate anywhere else,” said East Central Head Coach James Rabon. “They have a great scene up there and the way their gym is set up, the crowd is packed and right on top of you. They always draw big crowds and they’re loud and into the game. It’s great for the kids to have to have faced that adversity, the gym, the fans, a tough team, the travel, playing on the road, and playing from behind, all of that, and come out on top.”

East Central’s Jonathan Ochoa (22) muscles through for a shot Jan. 28. Ochoa finished the game with 16 points, as the Hornets crushed the San Marcos Rattlers, 117-73. TERRI REAL/Contributor

East Central’s Jonathan Ochoa (22) muscles through for a shot Jan. 28. Ochoa finished the game with 16 points, as the Hornets crushed the San Marcos Rattlers, 117-73. TERRI REAL/Contributor

The visiting Hornets started out hot and jumped out to an early lead, carrying them through the first quarter. However, with a boisterous home crowd cheering them on, the Unicorns surged ahead in the second quarter and built a substantial 38-29 lead going into the second half.

As has been the East Central style of play all season long, the offense was balanced and featured four different players scoring in double digits. One of the key cogs in the comeback in the second half was senior forward Sean Godley, who scored a crucial 14 points on the night.

“He was phenomenal for us, especially in the second half,” said Rabon. “First half, like a lot of us, he kind of got pushed around a little bit being the smallest guy on the court. But in the second half, he really stepped up and made some big shots. He played tremendous defense and really took care of the ball. I thought he really stepped up and took the challenge for us.”

Once again, East Central was led in scoring by senior guard Jonathan Ochoa. With 20 points on the night, Ochoa was able to keep the Hornets in the game all night long. Late in the game, his clutch free-throw shooting proved to be the difference in the win.

“He did a real good job of just calming down and calming people down,” Rabon explained. “There were some drives he took at the end when they were trapping and some guys were being a little too cautious. He continued to be aggressive. He took the team on his shoulders and made some big plays for us.”

The win brought the Hornets’ overall record to 20-11 and 6-3 in District 26- 6A. East Central was back at home Feb. 4 against Smithson Valley and will head back up to New Braunfels for their final game against New Braunfels Canyon Feb. 7. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

wcnsports@wcn-online.com