Monday night Paxton made the trek to Elm Creek to take on the Buffaloes of Elm Creek in the D2-5 District Final. Paxton led for a good chunk of the game, but ended up falling in a close game, 50-44.
As expected, the teams came out very intense, looking to gain an edge. But, the intensity between the two was even in the first couple of minutes. But, towards the end of the quarter, the Tigers created some separation, leading 15-8 after one quarter. In that first quarter, Josh Eakins had seven points for Paxton.
In the second quarter, Paxton increased that lead to 28-19 late in the period. But, in the last two minutes, Elm Creek went on a 5-0 run to make it 28-24 going to halftime. The Tigers maintained the narrow lead for the first four minutes of the second half. But Elm Creek took the lead with 3:44 to go in the third period, 34-33.
As the game went on, Elm Creek's athleticism began to really show on the glass. To Paxton's credit, every time it looked like the Buffaloes were going to pull away, the Tigers would fight back. Going to the final period, we were all tied up at 37-37. In the fourth quarter, it remained a close, back-and-forth game. Elm Creek though was up 41-39 when there was a turning point.
Isaiah Quintana hit a three-pointer with just under three minutes to go and extend the lead to 44-39. Paxton though, did not back down, Ethan Hardin hit a big triple with 2:07 remaining to trim the deficit to 44-42. But that is as close as they would get to the Buffaloes.
Elm Creek was led by Nikk Brumels with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Quintana had 18 for the Buffaloes. They are now 16-8 and will play in the NSAA Boys State Basketball Tournament March 6th-9th. They will wait and see who their opponent will be once the brackets come out.
Paxton was led by Josh Eakins with 18 points and Tanner Hebblethwaite had 17 and 12 rebounds. Paxton ends the season at 15-10.