ARGYLE - Argyle boys basketball coach Travis Erickson had seen this script before.
The Orioles were in a familiar position Monday - leading late but needing to hold on against Belmont. Senior Andy Bohlman's 3-pointer from the winter had given Argyle a 34-26 lead with 5 minutes, 9 seconds left.
But so far this season, the Orioles have struggled to hang on to leads and make plays at crunch time.
The Orioles (2-5, 1-3 Six Rivers East) trailed conference unbeaten Monticello 26-23 entering the fourth quarter earlier this season only to see the Ponies outscore them 14-1 in the fourth quarter. The Orioles also led Potosi 28-25 but were outscored 9-1 in the fourth quarter.
This time, the Orioles didn't run out of steam, surging to a 45-35 win over the Braves.
"We did what we are supposed to do down the stretch," Erickson said. "We didn't fold like we have been."
Argyle senior Chris Shambrook scored nine points and had five rebounds off the bench to give the Orioles a lift. No basket was bigger then when Shambrook, playing in just his third game this season, scored down low with 2:18 left to give the Orioles a 36-31 lead.
"That is the spark we are looking for off the bench," Erickson said. "He is a big part of our rebounding."
Clinging to a 37-33 lead, the Orioles overcame an over-and-back call with 1:38 left with a steal on the next possession. The Orioles made 8 of 12 free throws in the final 1:16 to seal the win. Bohlman scored a game-high 14 points and hit 4 of 6 free throws in the last 1:16.
"We are starting over," Bohlman said was Erickson's message before the game. "We seem to always struggle in the fourth quarter. It seemed like we all came together in the fourth quarter and dominated."
The Orioles stepped up their defense in the third quarter. Argyle senior Taylor Saalsaa stole the ball and went coast-to-coast to give the Orioles a 26-24 lead with 3:55 to go in the period. Bohlman took a charge and also came up with a critical steal, breakaway layup and was fouled, converting the three-point play at the foul line to give the Orioles a 29-24 lead late in the third quarter.
"Our defense picked up," Bohlman said. "We were tired of laying back."
Bohlman said the offense started moving more.
"Moving means transition, getting easy baskets and flying down the floor for layups."
The Orioles started the game with a bang, racing to a 10-7 first-quarter lead. Argyle did its damage in the post, where senior Kevin Berg scored six points in the period. The Orioles scored six unanswered points at the end of the first, highlighted by two Shambrook jumpers. The Braves, on the other hand, had almost as many turnovers (five) as points (seven) in the first quarter.
Argyle senior Matt Cash grabbed an offensive rebound and connected on the putback to give the Orioles an 18-10 lead midway through the second quarter.
Belmont closed the second quarter on an 8-2 run sparked by a series of offensive rebounds, a putback by Adam Wedig and a 3-pointer that helped cut the Orioles' halftime lead to 20-18. The Braves remained within striking distance by grabbing six offensive rebounds, which led to second- chance scoring opportunities.
"They dominated us in the first half on the boards," Erickson said. "We will never really light up the scoreboard. Our defense will lead us all year."
The Orioles were in a familiar position Monday - leading late but needing to hold on against Belmont. Senior Andy Bohlman's 3-pointer from the winter had given Argyle a 34-26 lead with 5 minutes, 9 seconds left.
But so far this season, the Orioles have struggled to hang on to leads and make plays at crunch time.
The Orioles (2-5, 1-3 Six Rivers East) trailed conference unbeaten Monticello 26-23 entering the fourth quarter earlier this season only to see the Ponies outscore them 14-1 in the fourth quarter. The Orioles also led Potosi 28-25 but were outscored 9-1 in the fourth quarter.
This time, the Orioles didn't run out of steam, surging to a 45-35 win over the Braves.
"We did what we are supposed to do down the stretch," Erickson said. "We didn't fold like we have been."
Argyle senior Chris Shambrook scored nine points and had five rebounds off the bench to give the Orioles a lift. No basket was bigger then when Shambrook, playing in just his third game this season, scored down low with 2:18 left to give the Orioles a 36-31 lead.
"That is the spark we are looking for off the bench," Erickson said. "He is a big part of our rebounding."
Clinging to a 37-33 lead, the Orioles overcame an over-and-back call with 1:38 left with a steal on the next possession. The Orioles made 8 of 12 free throws in the final 1:16 to seal the win. Bohlman scored a game-high 14 points and hit 4 of 6 free throws in the last 1:16.
"We are starting over," Bohlman said was Erickson's message before the game. "We seem to always struggle in the fourth quarter. It seemed like we all came together in the fourth quarter and dominated."
The Orioles stepped up their defense in the third quarter. Argyle senior Taylor Saalsaa stole the ball and went coast-to-coast to give the Orioles a 26-24 lead with 3:55 to go in the period. Bohlman took a charge and also came up with a critical steal, breakaway layup and was fouled, converting the three-point play at the foul line to give the Orioles a 29-24 lead late in the third quarter.
"Our defense picked up," Bohlman said. "We were tired of laying back."
Bohlman said the offense started moving more.
"Moving means transition, getting easy baskets and flying down the floor for layups."
The Orioles started the game with a bang, racing to a 10-7 first-quarter lead. Argyle did its damage in the post, where senior Kevin Berg scored six points in the period. The Orioles scored six unanswered points at the end of the first, highlighted by two Shambrook jumpers. The Braves, on the other hand, had almost as many turnovers (five) as points (seven) in the first quarter.
Argyle senior Matt Cash grabbed an offensive rebound and connected on the putback to give the Orioles an 18-10 lead midway through the second quarter.
Belmont closed the second quarter on an 8-2 run sparked by a series of offensive rebounds, a putback by Adam Wedig and a 3-pointer that helped cut the Orioles' halftime lead to 20-18. The Braves remained within striking distance by grabbing six offensive rebounds, which led to second- chance scoring opportunities.
"They dominated us in the first half on the boards," Erickson said. "We will never really light up the scoreboard. Our defense will lead us all year."
