Tight basketball game ends in 1-point loss for Bulldogs

By Bill Tamburrino

Coach David Reichner’s Bulldogs played their best game of the year in a losing effort as the Mt. Carmel Sundevils beat Ramona 68-67 in the Dawg House in the final non-league game before the Dawgs enter Valley League play.

Ramona will enter the Valley League with a 6-9 record.

The game was close from the very start. One team would get a lead and the other would tie or take the lead. After one period of play the Mount led 23-21. The second period was as hard fought as the first and the teams went to intermission tied at 35.

The Mount built a 6 point lead in the fourth period but the Dawgs battled back and the Dawg D forced two turnovers in the final minute to give the Dawgs the ball with 28 seconds left.

With just under 16 seconds left in the game, Ramona had the ball with the Mount leading 68-67. Mt. Carmel collapsed on Matt Lawler who had killed them all night in the paint so with two seconds left, the ball was kicked out to Marco Cobian. Cobian’s 3-point shot rimmed out at the buzzer and the Mount held on for the win.

Coach Reichner had praise for his entire team.

“I was very pleased with the way the team played offense tonight. We moved the ball inside and out as well as I have seen any high school team do. We executed the offense and played great team ball. We had 16 assists and only 11 turnovers.”

Reichner also praised the play of Lawler, a junior post player.

“Matt had the best game of his life, scoring 25 points from everywhere on the court inside the arch,” he said.

Lawler led all scorers with 25 as he played a complete game with six rebounds, two assists, a steal, a blocked shot and a forced turnover.

Ryan Heiar also tallied in double digits with 11 points. Heiar also grabbed five boards and dished off three assists. Dylan Fieger scored 8 points, and led the team with five assists. Scott Stransky, Zach White and Cobian all scored 7 points apiece. Cobian hit two 3-point shots and had three assists. Riley Hubbard scored 2 points.

Reichner said he thinks the tough loss will have a positive impact on the team in the future.

“There were many tears in the team room after the game, but those tears will build a great fire in their bellies in future games,” he said. “We will keep our heads up and keep getting better.”