Sports > Schools
Down under: Lobos defeat visiting Australian team
BY Chris O’Dell, codell@starlocalnews.com
One thing Little Elm lacked during Tuesday night’s game against Victoria Metro was a size advantage.
With four players taller than 6-foot-8, the visiting team from Australia carried a distinct disparity into the Tuesday exhibition.
However, the Lobos, with no player taller than 6-foot-4, didn’t seem to mind and earned a 51-44 victory with stingy play at the defensive end.
“I was afraid we wouldn’t be physical enough with them,” said Rusty Segler, Little Elm head coach. “The guys played hard though.”
Little Elm shot just 32 percent from the field but managed to limit Victoria Metro to just 17 first-half points, including eight points in the opening frame.
“We’re playing better defense than any team I’ve ever had,” Segler said.
The defense gave the Lobos a 10-8 lead after the first frame and a 23-17 lead at the break. The two teams then went toe-to-toe for the final two quarters, with Vitoria Metro using a 14-13 advantage in the third to trail by just five points going into the final stanza.
Senior play then carried the Lobos, with Jalen Bridges scoring a game-high 16 points and Shaun Grant and Devante’ Pullum chipping in 11 and 10, respectively.
“I’ve been pleased with how we’ve looked so far,” Segler said. “I feel good about where we’re at right now.”
Little Elm has been without the services of senior Biron Joseph after last season’s leading scorer transferred to Quest Academy in Las Vegas before recently returning to the Metroplex.
“We should get [Joseph] back next Wednesday,” Segler said. “That will be a big addition for us.”
Tuesday’s victory improved Little Elm’s season mark to 6-3 after a lengthy postseason run last year ended with a 61-59 loss to Denton Ryan.
“The guys believe they can win now,” Segler said. “Mediocre isn’t going to cut it anymore.”
The Lobos were slated for a 3 p.m. tournament-opening game against Haltom on Thursday. However, results were not available as of press time.
Little Elm will conclude its time in the Weatherford New Car Dealers Tournament Saturday before returning home to host Allen in a 7:30 p.m. game on Tuesday.
With four players taller than 6-foot-8, the visiting team from Australia carried a distinct disparity into the Tuesday exhibition.
However, the Lobos, with no player taller than 6-foot-4, didn’t seem to mind and earned a 51-44 victory with stingy play at the defensive end.
“I was afraid we wouldn’t be physical enough with them,” said Rusty Segler, Little Elm head coach. “The guys played hard though.”
Little Elm shot just 32 percent from the field but managed to limit Victoria Metro to just 17 first-half points, including eight points in the opening frame.
“We’re playing better defense than any team I’ve ever had,” Segler said.
The defense gave the Lobos a 10-8 lead after the first frame and a 23-17 lead at the break. The two teams then went toe-to-toe for the final two quarters, with Vitoria Metro using a 14-13 advantage in the third to trail by just five points going into the final stanza.
Senior play then carried the Lobos, with Jalen Bridges scoring a game-high 16 points and Shaun Grant and Devante’ Pullum chipping in 11 and 10, respectively.
“I’ve been pleased with how we’ve looked so far,” Segler said. “I feel good about where we’re at right now.”
Little Elm has been without the services of senior Biron Joseph after last season’s leading scorer transferred to Quest Academy in Las Vegas before recently returning to the Metroplex.
“We should get [Joseph] back next Wednesday,” Segler said. “That will be a big addition for us.”
Tuesday’s victory improved Little Elm’s season mark to 6-3 after a lengthy postseason run last year ended with a 61-59 loss to Denton Ryan.
“The guys believe they can win now,” Segler said. “Mediocre isn’t going to cut it anymore.”
The Lobos were slated for a 3 p.m. tournament-opening game against Haltom on Thursday. However, results were not available as of press time.
Little Elm will conclude its time in the Weatherford New Car Dealers Tournament Saturday before returning home to host Allen in a 7:30 p.m. game on Tuesday.
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