Austin Garner scores 17 to lead Byron Nelson past The Colony
Trophy Club - Senior (DBU signee) Austin Garner led Byron Nelson (11-6) to a 59-54 win over The Colony (14-3), scoring a team-high of 17 points. Freshman Finley Bizjack added 16 points of his own in the victory.
The Byron Nelson Bobcats led from start to finish and shook off a late charge by the Cougars as they got within one-point in the final minutes of the game (55-54). Bizjack put an end to the Cougars' hopes of a comeback by hitting a floater and free-throws towards the end of the game.
"Our kids came out ready to play," said head coach Scott Curran. "We have had some struggles the last couple of games but we stuck to our game plan versus a tough 14 win team [in The Colony] and hit big shots".
The Byron Nelson Bobcats hit 63% of their three-point shots, sinking 7-out-11 against the Cougars. Garner nailed four of the Bobcats seven threes on the night. Curran gives his thoughts on his team's shooting performance.
"We are capable of doing that but you have to be selective and move the ball from side to side, which I feel we did. We have guys that can make them and we got open to get those shots."
"We have been in the gym a lot lately getting up shots and it showed today that our practice paid off," said Garner. "The guards did a great job of penetrating and kicking to the open man for wide-open shots."
Combo guard Bizjack took on full-time point guard duties as teammate Jake Menn was sidelined with an injury. Bizjack did his share of scoring but he created for his teammates and made the right passes finishing with four assists.
"My job was mainly to facilitate and score when I saw an opportunity to," Fizjack said. "I feel that I can blow by anyone, so when [The Colony] stepped out on us we spread the floor and we were able to get penetration and score."
Miller Shines, Mosher struggles in loss...
Keith Miller who is a standout on the football field led all scorers with 24 points. The active athlete scored in the paint and when he saw that he could take his defender off the dribble, the 6-foot-5 Miller took the ball to the rim and finished. Miller totaled seven rebounds and added four assist.
Tay Mosher had a rough day from the field hitting only three of his 14 attempts. Mosher hit two three-pointers and added a lay-in for eight points.
TexasHoops.com’s Game Ball...
TexasHoops gives both Jesse Iweze and Jayden McCray of Byron Nelson a game ball for their play as a duo in the paint. The pair combined for 15 points, but most importantly, Iweze and McCray protected the middle of the paint by rebounding and causing disturbance as the Cougars made their way to the basket. Iweze and McCray have a long reach and are athletic.
What’s Next...
Each team will take the U.I.L. mandatory 5-day break from any basketball, and will pick up after Christmas.
Both teams will host their own Holiday Tournament. Byron Nelson Classic starts on Thursday, the 26th, and the Bobcats will be facing Amarillo Tascosa in the first round of bracket play. The Tommy Thomas/The Colony Tournament tips on the 27th and the Cougars will take on Carrollton Ranchview.