The Mansfield Tigers dropped their first two games of the Bill Frye Invitational sponsored by Today’s Bank but bounced back for a win on Day 3. The Tigers opened up the tournament against the Paris Eagles. In a closely contested game, the Eagles took a 39-36 lead with about 3 minutes and would prevail 42-37. On Day 2, the Tigers would take an 11-10 lead with under two minutes to go but would go down 13-11 to end the first quarter. This would be the closest the Tigers would get as Pea Ridge would win by 14, 46-32.
But, on Day 3, the Tigers came alive on both ends of the floor and broke an 11-game losing streak to Booneville dating back to the 2016 season. The Tigers had lost to Booneville in the first game of the season in overtime. Mansfield would take the first quarter lead, 15-14, when Tyler Escalante made a lay-up just before the buzzer. That would spark the Tigers 14-0 run to end the first and start the 2nd quarter. Five Tigers would score during the run. Escalante would start the 2nd off with a three point basket and Drew Elmore would use a put back basket to get his name in the scoring column. On the next possession, Ethan Pettus would finish at the basket. Travis Tobey would add a three and Zach Hayslip would knock down two free-throws to make the score 27-14 with 4:43 to go in the half. Cj Johnson would stop the run with a pull-up jumper. Braxton Byers would add a free-throw to make the score 28-16. Colter Fisher would add a two point basket for the Bearcats and net the score at 28-18.
Just as the second quarter started, the second half would start the same way…with a Tyler Escalante three point basket. Fisher would add another basket for the Bearcats and then Escalante drilled another three to extend the Tiger lead to 14, 34-30. The teams would trade some free-throws on each end, making the score 37-26 and then Escalante would hit another three. With the score 42-30, Escalante would drain another three with 5.7 seconds left. The Bearcats would race down the floor and hit a buzzer beating three from Mason Goers to end the third quarter 45-33.
The Tigers would start the 4th on a 12-2 run led by Ethan Pettus, Drew Elmore and Clint Stovall extending the lead to 57-35. The Bearcats would use an 8-0 to cut the lead to 14, 57-43, with 1:20 left in the game. The rest of the game would be free-throws for both teams as Ethan Pettus and Dakota Langford would knock down four free-throws for the Tigers. Escobedo and Ferguson would make some late game free-throws for the Bearcats. The Tigers would close out 2021 with a 61-49 home win. Tyler Escalante would score a game high, 24 points. Ethan Pettus would add 13 for the Tigers. CJ Johnson and Mason Goers would lead the way for the Bearcats, scoring 12 each, respectively.
“We Played with so much energy and enthusiasm! Everyone made an impact whether on the floor or on the sideline. Best game we have played this year and I’m so proud of our team. Total team effort and a great way to end 2021!” Coach Brown stated.
The Tigers will resume conference play on Friday January 7, 2022 against the Magazine Rattlers. This will also be Homecoming for the Tigers. Homecoming ceremony will begin at 5:00 p.m. The Senior Boys will play the first game at approximately 5:30 p.m. Junior Girls will follow and Senior Girls will finish the night off.
