Bobcats’ season ends with close loss to Forestburg
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(TC GORDON | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Newcastle senior Ty Strawbridge backs down a defender looking for a close shot during one of the team’s district games earlier this season. The Bobcats lost their bi-district game 53-46 to Forestburg and saw their season come to an end Tuesday, Feb. 20. -
(TC GORDON | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Newcastle junior Ben Burk elevates over a defender for a jump shot during one of the team’s games earlier this season. The Bobcats took on the Forestburg Longhorns and took a 53-46 loss Tuesday, Feb. 20, which ended their season.
The Newcastle Bobcats did everything they could to pull out the win, but ultimately they took a loss to Forestburg 53-46 in their bi-district matchup Tuesday, Feb. 20.
They trailed for most of the game but never quit and in the remaining few minutes of the game the Bobcats were within two points of the Longhorns. But the team couldn’t get over the hump and saw their season come to an end.
After just the first quarter, the Bobcats kept things close thanks to the work of their two senior leaders in Isaac King and Ty Strawbridge. They combined for all 13 points Newcastle scored in the period and after one quarter, the Bobcats trailed just 15-13.
Things slowed down a bit in the second quarter for Newcastle as Forestburg’s defense created problems for the team. King and Strawbridge each got a bucket while junior Ben Burk scored his first two points of the game, as well. But the Longhorns went into halftime with a 25-19 lead.
Second half success for any team revolves around adjustments made in the locker room and coming out with the energy necessary to win. Although Newcastle played well offensively in the third quarter, Forestburg found a bit more success on their end as they extended their lead over the Bobcats.
Freshman Keyton Newland knocked down Newcastle’s first 3-pointer of the day for his first points in the game, while Burk, Strawbridge, King and sophomore Jayden Hamby did the rest of the scoring inside the arc for the Bobcats. But as the teams headed to the fourth quarter, Newcastle trailed Forestburg 41-30.
Throughout the final quarter the Bobcats ran a balanced offense with multiple players scoring in the period. Newcastle outscored Forestburg in the fourth quarter but with the deficit they were facing it was too much to overcome.
Strawbridge hit a 3-pointer while King, Newland and freshman Jacob Omundi tallied points inside. With less than two minutes remaining, Forestburg only held a 48-46 lead and Newcastle had a chance.
But one of the Longhorns’ top scorers scored the final few points to put the game out of reach for the Bobcats as time expired and Newcastle’s season came to a close.
King finished the game with a team-high 22 points followed by Strawbridge who finished with 9 points. Newland ended with 6 points, Burk and Omundi had 4 points each and Hamby recorded 1 point.
The Bobcats finished the year strong, despite the early playoff loss. Newcastle took third place in their district and had a handful of big wins throughout the season. Although seniors will be moving on, the team will look to build on this season moving forward.
