Tough loss muddies playoff hopes for Apaches

GONZALES — With an opportunity to get ahead of the pack in District 30-4A, the Gonzales Apaches were unable to finish at the basket against Cuero, losing to the Gobblers 48-43. The loss drops Gonzales to 2-5 in district while Cuero shot up to 3-4.

“We just got to finish at the rim,” head coach A.J. Irwin said. “We try to be patient and we do a good job, but down the stretch it doesn’t look like patience anymore, it looks like indecisiveness. We’re not thinking go. We’re given so much and we’re not taking, we’re playing timid basketball.”

Down just 33-30 early in the fourth, the Apaches gave up an 11-3 run before trying to mount a late comeback against their rivals.

Defensively, the Apaches struggled to run their set, allowing for easy layups by Cuero.

It wasn’t until late when the shots started to finally go through for the Apaches, with Jose Nino making free throws and with Derrick Jarmon, Diego Diaz DeLeon and Contrell Smith making three pointers. With 12 seconds left in the game, Smith converted on a three to cut the lead to five. Unfortunately for Gonzales, that was their last made shot of the game, ending the night with the 48-43 result.

The loss dropped Gonzales down to fifth in the district behind San Antonio Brooks Academy (4-3) and Cuero (3-4). The Apaches currently have a head-to-head over Poteet (2-5).

The team has a tough road ahead of them. Friday night is seen as must win, according to Irwin. A loss against Navarro wouldn’t mathematically eliminate the Apaches, but it would put them in a hole that may be too deep for the team to climb out of.

After Friday, Gonzales will host Poteet on Tuesday. Both games are scheduled to tip off at 7:45 p.m.

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