Mustangs lose crucial road contest to Randolph, 56-38

The Nixon-Smiley Mustangs made their run for a playoff spot a lot harder with a 56-38 loss on the road to the Randolph Ro-Hawks Tuesday, Feb. 8.

The loss drops Nixon-Smiley into a fourth-place tie with Randolph with two games left and forces the Mustangs into a must-win game this Friday, Feb. 11, at home against the third-place Stockdale Brahmas.

On Tuesday, the Mustangs battled tough in the first half, going into the locker room down by just five points. However, the Ro-Hawks took advantage of Nixon-Smiley miscues in the second half to claim the win.

The Mustangs were led by Dustin Mejia with 12 points, Carl White Jr. with 7, Ruben Bomer with 5, Braxton Regalado and Bradyn Martinez each with 4, Kade Dixon with 3, Luke Moses with 2, and Holden Canion with 1.

While Nixon-Smiley plays Stockdale on Friday, Randolph gets an easier game with Great Hearts Monte Vista, which is in last place. Then, on Tuesday, Feb. 15, the Mustangs face first-place Cole while Randolph plays second-place Marion.

If Nixon-Smiley and Randolph end the season with identical district records, they could play a one-game playoff to determine who gets the fourth and final spot in the postseason.