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(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Bryce Martin puts up a one handed shot Tuesday, Feb. 10 against the Mineral Wells Rams. Martin along with his teammate Jagger Nees set the tone in the first quarter of the Steers’ 58-37 win to clinch a playoff spot. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Brodie Martin passes the ball to a teammate Tuesday, Feb. 10 against the Mineral Wells Rams. The Steers were locked in offensively from the opening quarter and came away with a 58-37 victory to clinch a playoff spot. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Jaden Neal stands with his family Tuesday, Feb. 10 on senior night. The Steers sent Neal off on a high note with a 58-37 win over the Mineral Wells Rams. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Nick Wankowicz stands with his mother Tuesday, Feb. 10 on Senior Night. The Steers were able to send Wankowicz off with a 58-37 win over the Mineral Wells Rams.
The Graham Steers entered their home matchup against Mineral Wells with a lot on the line.
Not only was it a chance to honor the seniors at home on senior night, it was also a chance to clinch a postseason spot for Graham. The team accomplished both of those goals with a 58-37 win over the Rams.
Head coach Quinton Fossett spoke about what it was like to pick up a win like this on such a big night, both for the playoffs as well as paying homage to seniors Jaden Neal and Nick Wankowicz.
“It’s huge, tonight we locked the playoffs and threw away the key. That’s always a good feeling to have especially on senior night,” Fossett said. “I’m their (the seniors) third coach in three years. They came in and bought in the offseason and they’re going to give you everything they’ve got every night. They’re great kids and I wish we had more time with them.”
From the jump the Steers looked determined to earn a playoff spot. Cooper Corley started the game off with a free throw and players like Bryce Martin and Jagger Nees were locked in throughout the game.
After Mineral Wells jumped out to a quick lead, Nees hit a corner three to make it a one point game and then immediately followed that up with an and-one to take the lead for Graham.
This was a lead the team would not surrender again. Martin hit a pair of three pointers in the quarter as well and Graham had a 12-9 lead after the first quarter.
The team only increased this lead going into halftime 29-18 as Nees hit an early contested three once again and both Martin brothers hit and-ones in the second quarter. Thomason Burkett also hit a rare three pointer to extend the lead.
Mineral Wells fought back somewhat in the third quarter cutting the lead to single digits, but Graham was unfazed.
The Steers put up another 18 points and ran out the clock to seal the victory.
After a matchup Friday, Feb. 13 the Steers will play their final game of the regular season at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17 against Stephenville.
