The Mansfield Tigers have been looking for that one key game to push them into overdrive. With each win and loss this season being close, Mansfield needed a “we’re for real” game to showcase to their fans. What better format to do that in than the Bill Frye Invitational? Having a home-court advantage in front of a home crowd for a tournament named after a legendary former coach is the perfect formula to prove a point. On Wednesday, December 28th the Tigers capitalized in every way against the Two Rivers Gators to show that they are indeed for real.
Mansfield started off the game behind the three-point shots of Clint Stovall and Winston Allison to go up 6-0 over the Gators. The Tigers followed up their long-range shots with a powerful put-back score by Drew Elmore which sent the Tiger faithful into a frenzy and forced Two Rivers to call an early time-out. When the action resumed, Mansfield picked up right where they left off but this time it was Zach Hayslip with the powerful board bucket. The Tigers offense was on fire while their defense had the Gators on ice. Two Rivers tried to use screens to get past Mansfield, but the Tigers defensive communication on the floor was next level allowing them to shut down the Gators at every step. Mansfield dominated the boards as well with each offensive rebound being put back up for points. The Tigers completely owned the first quarter with a 16-0 shutout of Two Rivers.
Normally, the first quarter can be seen as a mulligan with the second quarter giving teams a chance to adjust from first quarter mistakes. Two Rivers made adjustments, but the Tigers twisted the Gators back to square one by continuing to play flawless basketball. Ryan Hayslip made the first twist with a smooth layup through a congregation of Gators. Travis Tobey kept Two Rivers reeling with an unopposed three-pointer. As soon as Tobey’s shot went through the net, Winston Allison stole the ball and made a full-court pass to Cole Kindle who drained another three-point shot on the Gators. Two Rivers pulled their defense out from the boxes to stop the Tigers sharpshooters but were only burnt at the boards by Braxton Byers and Clint Stovall. Mansfield would not be denied and continued to pour it on the Gators. Clint Stovall let go of the last drop of the Tigers gullywasher first half with a fast-break layup to give Mansfield a 34-13 lead going into halftime.
Mansfield faced a stiff full-court defense by the Gators to start the second half. The additional pressure by Two Rivers was effective at first, but the Tigers found a way to claw past the Gators aggressive defense and went right back to lighting up the scoreboard. Drew Elmore, Clint Stovall, and Zach Hayslip said “see ya later alligator” as they breezed by Two Rivers defenders for multiple layups and putbacks. All of the points were made possible by the impeccable movement of the ball by Mansfield which left Two Rivers spread out on the floor. As the lead continued to grow and the quarter began to close, new faces found their way onto the court. New to the game, but just as dangerously skilled, Austin Ruiz sank a sweet swish on a three-pointer and was followed up by Greyson Baggett who dropped in a last-second layup to send the Tigers into the fourth and final quarter with a commanding 48-18 lead.
As the fourth quarter began, the Tigers rotated more players onto the hardwood. Although Mansfield only put up two points in the final quarter of the game, their defense remained fully intact as they cruised to a 50-23 victory over Two Rivers to advance to the winners bracket of the Bill Frye Invitational. “I thought our defensive effort was the best we’ve had this year,” said Head Coach Joshua Brown. “Our decision making was good and what their defense gave us. We played smart transition basketball by pushing it when it was there and backing out when it wasn’t. It was a great overall team effort”. With Mansfield proving quite an impressive point against the Gators, they now have to keep that point sharp as they face the fierce Vian Wolverines for Round2 of the invitational. Vian overcame a close game early against Mulberry to pull off a 20-point win. Mansfield will be ready for anything from Vian though as they eye a spot in the Bill Frye Invitational on Friday, December 30th.
