Yoe’s late comeback falls short in bi-district loss to Marlin

Trialing 45-35 with just three minutes remaining in Tuesday’s bi-district matchup with the Marlin Bulldogs, Cameron was in a do or die situation with the continuation of the season on the line. The next two and a half minutes are what the fans in maroon and grey were looking for, as the Yoemen had stormed all the way back to take a 47-45 lead with just 33.75 seconds remaining on the clock. However, it was the Bulldogs that recovered late with free throws in a 51-48 victory.

“That sums up our season right there,” said Yoe head coach Ed Glendening. “You can’t ask our kids to play harder. They gave total effort. We were never out of the game and we were never out of it.”

The loss ends the Yoemen’s season at 22-12. The Bulldogs, 16-10, now advance to the area round of the playoffs to take on the Malakoff Tigers.

Cameron led Marlin at the end of the first, 12-9, but steadily lost ground up until the final minutes of the game. The deficit ballooned to the 12 in the fourth before Cameron’s defensive effort turned the tide back in the other direction.

“I can't say enough about our effort and how we played defensively and ended the game,” said Glendening on his team’s four forced turnovers in the final period.

Cameron tied the game up at 43 all when guard Danny Perez sank a wide-open three-point shot near the left corner of the court. “I knew once he gave it to me, I had to take it to tie the game up,” said Perez, who made a trio of treys on the night.

On Marlin’s next possession, it was a one-and-done. From that point on, it was a game of free throws. Moving up the court, LaRondre Booze was fouled inside and was sent to the line. The sophomore calmly sank both shots, completely the 12-0 run and giving the Yoemen their first lead since the first period.

Marlin’s Edward Timms proceeded to draw a foul to go to the line. The senior made both shots, tying the game back up at 47. Sicory Smith was then fouled, and made one of two to put the Yoemen back up 49-48. Marlin’s Alik Brooks had an open lane to the bucket on the other end, but was fouled before getting off an open look. The guard made both, putting the Bulldogs ahead, 49-48. Cameron had one final opportunity with 8 seconds remaining, but turned the ball over at midcourt to end the comeback bid.

In total, Marlin turned the ball over 12 times compared the the Yoemen’s 20. Additionally, Marlin was 19-29 (66%) from the free-throw line while the Yoemen were 12-27 (44%).

“It's what we've done all year,” added Glendening. “We are going to give effort but we just have to make free throws to win the game.”

Senior starters Danny Perez (11 points), Kevondre Wesley (11 points) and Sicory Smith (7 points) were team leaders in scoring.

“I can't say enough about my seniors - Sicory, Kevondre and Danny did a great job,” said Glendening. “Those were three starters for us and they are going to be missed.”

Jordan Young joined the aforementioned three as seniors on the Yoemen’s roster. All-district awards will be announced once 20-3A has completed its playoff run.

District Results

In other district action, R19 McGregor nipped T20 Lexington in overtime, 81-74, R20 Franklin overwhelmed T19 Whitney, 71-41, and W20 Jarrell overpowered F19 West, 67-47. Marlin advances to play Malakoff, which defeated Grandview, 68-62. Jarrell draws Maypearl and Franklin gets Leon in the area round of the playoffs.