WEATHERFORD —
The considerable amount of energy before and after the opening leap, from the Weatherford varsity boys basketball team, and the Roo fans in the stands, could well have belied the event as a match with all of the expectance and anticipation connected with an early-season game. In fact, the District 4-5A contest was virtually meaningless relative to the standings, but certainly held a gymnasium full of significance for the players, coaches and fans who gathered at Kangaroo gym for the final time this season.
With a tough season drawing to a close, one might be hard-pressed to figure the amount of exuberance displayed, albeit on Senior Night. And whether the energy came up from the floor of the court or filtered down to the playing level, the Weatherford faithful welcomed each possession and defensive stop with spirited response. The determined hustle of the Roos from tip to buzzer, and the execution of head coach Terry Ferguson’s strategies were effective throughout the match, but Arlington Martin’s Warriors would not be denied as Weatherford fell just short on an otherwise positive-vibe night, 43-41.
Weatherford came out hot, hitting a trio of 3-pointers in as many possessions, and dealt Martin some confusing defensive looks early on. The Warriors never reached a comfortable offensive rhythm in the opening quarter, but the WHS hands cooled, as they had trouble finding the basket the rest of the quarter. The teams virtually matched baskets in the second period, and the Roos went to the locker room with an 8-point deficit.
Ferguson’s half-time instructions and challenges worked to a tee for the WHS boys in the third quarter, as the Roos held a zone defensive clinic in denying good looks and stealing the ball.
Weatherford outscored the taller, quicker Warriors 16-8 in the third, resulting in a tie ball game entering the final stanza.
The hustle of the Kangaroos was as evident in the fourth quarter as the opening period, but unfortunately for Weatherford, the refs began to get a bit too friendly with their whistles, turning Roos aggressive defensive play into infractions. The home-town boys failed to match Martin’s trips to the line with a steady stream of answering points, and the Warriors pulled ahead by four with a minute left.
WHS shut down the Arlington team’s scoring with 45 seconds left, but could only pull to within two as time expired.
Josh Cox led the Roos with 15 points, while Adam Couture added 10. Francis Genung and Tyler Davis rounded out the seniors contribution with 6 and 5 points, respectively.
Weatherford goes on the road for the season finale, hoping to end the 2011-12 campaign with a win as they take on Arlington Sam Houston.
Players, coaches and fans capped off Senior Night with a reception in the gymnasium halls after the game, celebrating the efforts of the season and the inherent camaraderie emerging from the concerted endeavors of WHS basketball.
Editor's Note: This article admittedly delves into the disposition of the Weatherford players and fans as much as dealing with the particular progress and facets of the game on Friday night. This writer deems it notable that, regardless of the won-loss tally of this season's Kangaroos varsity squad, it is evident the all-incompassing benefits from a program as concerned with the elements of reaching a goal, as with the attainment of the goal itself, are numerous, and likely, long-lasting.
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