California Pintos basketball hosted the Blair Oaks Falcons for their senior night on Feb. 13.
For most of the first half, the two teams went back and forth with Blair Oaks possessing a three-point lead with two minutes left in the half. However, California hurt themselves in the final two minutes with missed shots and turnovers, enabling the Falcons to end the half on a 12-2 run and take a 33-20 lead into the half.
For the entire second half, California had to play catch up. The Pintos got within five points in the fourth quarter but the Falcons were able to answer each California run with one of their own. Blair Oaks stretched their lead back to double-figures in the final two minutes and won the game 60-50.
California shot 36 percent from the field, 8 percent from the three-point line and 69 percent from the foul line.
Blair Oaks shot 59 percent from the field, 42 percent from the three-point line and 48 percent from the foul line.
Pintos head coach Brad Conway said the Falcons' 12-2 run to end the first half was what tipped the scales in Blair Oaks' favor and his team lost their energy. Even though the Pintos played better as a team in the second half, Conway said they couldn't get the critical plays the team needed to complete their comeback.
"That second quarter was the till in tonight's game. We didn't handle their pressure very well and we had too many turnovers. We came out and played better in the second half. We competed harder and that's the effort that we need every single night. We just weren't able to get any closer than five points," Conway said, "We need to make sure in the future that we don't come out flat during a period of time and build ourselves a hole. Then when we had chances to cut into their lead, the ball didn't bounce our way. We're going to have to give it that extra effort going forward."
The Pintos played a make-up game against the Smith-Cotton Tigers on Saturday and lost 64-61.
California shot 39 percent from the field, 12 percent from the three-point line and 71 percent from the foul line.
Smith-Cotton shot 55 percent from the field, 36 percent from the three-point line and 60 percent from the foul line.
The Pintos are now 14-10 on the season and will end the regular season at Camdenton on Thursday.
California will play at 6 p.m. on Feb. 27 against Fulton at districts in Southern Boone.
(Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
Gavin Porter was recognized during California's senior night ceremony on Feb. 13.
(Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
Hayden Kilmer had 11 points, four rebounds and a steal against Blair Oaks on Feb. 13.
(Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
Brooks Volkart had six points, four assists and three steals in California's 60-50 loss to Blair Oaks.
(Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
Pintos head coach Brad Conway and his team will be the #4 seed in the Class 3 District 8 tournament. They will play at the Fulton Hornets on Feb. 27.