Broncos slide by Vega, White Deer

By Sandy Anderberg

The Broncos put together 32 minutes of aggressiveness and determination to get a big win at home over the Vega Longhorns Friday night at 63-56. The Broncos opened up with a big first quarter, but began to waiver somewhat before the break as Vega came storming back.

After a fairly even third quarter of play, the Broncos claimed the final quarter as their own and got the win. The Broncos shot solid free throws down the stretch and shot 84 percent on the night as a team. Several Broncos made clutch shots at the end to keep the lead. Adam Topper worked hard inside and finished with 25, and Cole Ward and Trajen Johnson posted double figures also.

“I thought we moved the ball well and were able to get good shots,” coach Brandt Lockhart said. “It was the best free throw game of the year and it could have not come at a better time. We were 21 for 24 from the line. Cody Wood, Jonah Sell, and Charles Mason did a good job of defending their best player. Adam Topper had 17 rebounds (for a double-double), and Diego Santos had eight assists.” Also scoring: Wood 7, Santos 4, and Mason 2.

On Friday night, the Broncos traveled to White Deer and defeated the Bucks 40-31. After trailing in the first quarter, the Broncos stepped up their game and worked to retake the lead. The team played hard together and worked as a team despite facing a night of adversity.

“We did not shoot the ball well,” Lockhart said. “But we were able to play well enough defensively to get the win.” The wins put the Broncos at 17-9 on the year and 6-1 in District play.

Scoring: Ward 20, Wood 8, Topper 5, Mason 2, Sell 2, Johnson 2, and Chance McAnear 1.

The Broncos will play in Canyon in the Randall Playoff Preview next Saturday, February 16, at 3 p.m. against Grady.