CUBS’ HOOP SEASON ENDS IN REGION QUARTERFINALS

The Brenham Cubs’ basketball season came to an end Tuesday night, but certainly not for lack of effort.

The Cubs (22-10) fell to Houston Madison (25-10), 63-47 at Waller Bulldogs Gymnasium.

The Cubs got off to a slow start, trailing 16-7 after the first quarter.  The quarter was dominated by Marlins’ 6’10” center Chris Harris, who scored all but two of his team’s points over the first eight minutes.

The Cubs’ start was also marred by a slew of missed three-pointers as shot-after-shot rattled around the rim, but refused to fall.

“The effort was definitely there,” said Cubs head coach Bruce King.  “We just didn’t shoot well.”

In the second quarter, the Cubs’ shots began to fall with three 3-pointers—two from Matt Howlett and one by Antoine Lister.  However the Marlins continued their strong inside play and extended their lead to 32-20 at the half.

The Cubs played markedly better in the second half as more shots began to fall and they were able to get some inside baskets as well.

“Harris causes a lot of problems, especially in the first half,” said King.  “I thought we did a much better job on him in the second half.”

Brenham was able to cut the lead to six points and had possession of the ball on two occasions, but could get no closer.

Madison guard Chris Mayberry led the team down the stretch, with 11 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter.

Harris, who has committed to Texas A&M, led all scorers with 31 points, while Lister led the Cubs with 18, while Howlett finished with nine.

The game marked the finale for three Brenham seniors: Howlett, Chase Brooks and Caleb Hill.  Three starters: Lister, Cjay Miles and Matt Adams return next year, along with a number of players who made contributions throughout the 2015 season.

“There’s a lot to build on,” commented King.  “The kids played well this year—especially the two great playoff wins last week.”

“I can’t be unhappy tonight.  They gave great effort…we just couldn’t knock the shots down.”

Madison advances to the Region III/5A Tournament, Friday and Saturday at the Merrill Center in Katy.

CUBS: Antoine Lister, 18 pts.; Matt Howlett, 9; Chase Brooks, 8; Matt Adams, 8; Roger Hall, 2; Halen Tilley, 2.

MADISON: Chris Harris, 31 pts.; Chris Mayberry, 15; Jeremiah Gambrell, 9; Jantre Epps, 4; Devon Collins, 2; Curtis Randle, 2.

REGION III/5A SCORES:
MADISON 63     BRENHAM CUBS 47
BEAUMONT OZEN 68     C.E. KING 48
BEAUMONT CENTRAL 68     HUMBLE 48
TOMBALL MEMORIAL vs. YATES, TONIGHT, 7:00 @ MERRILL CENTER