By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
In its final tune-up before the start of district play, Del Rio didn’t have the answers for New Braunfels Canyon down the stretch.
Down by one at halftime, the Rams were outscored 37-31 in the second half and dropped its final non-district game, 75-68, Tuesday afternoon.
Del Rio seemed poised to earn a win in their first game in two weeks after cutting a four-point first quarter deficit to just one by halftime, but a physical game began taking its toll.
The Rams attempted 16 free throws in the first half versus six for Canyon, but in the second half both teams attempted more than 20 shots from the charity stripe. Del Rio shot 22 free throws and Canyon shot 21.
The physical play also took its toll on the depth of each team. Four Rams racked up at least four fouls, and both Alessandro Elizondo and J.J. Cervantes fouled out of the game. Canyon also lost one of its players from fouling out, and saw two others get whistled for four fouls.
If Del Rio head coach Joe Nieto wanted to lay the blame the loss on anything specifically, he could point to the Rams’ work at the free throw line. In the third quarter, Del Rio was 0-for-7 on its attempts. In the fourth quarter, the Rams were 8-of-15.
Del Rio trailed 22-19 after the first quarter, but was able to slow Canyon down in the second quarter to trim the deficit to one. Will Proffit had 11 points in the first half to help keep the Rams in the contest.
Things began to turn in the third quarter as Canyon outscored the Rams, 17-13, thanks in large part to Del Rio’s struggles from the free throw line. Canyon would close out the game with a 20-point fourth quarter, just outdistancing Del Rio to earn the win.
Proffit finished the game with 18 points to lead Del Rio. He was one of four Rams to score in double digits joining Alan Dobbins (15), Nick Rivera (13) and Cervantes (10). Joel Dominguez had eight points, and Corbin Farrar and Jorge Rubio each had two points for Del Rio.
After not having a game for two weeks, Del Rio will play three games in seven days.
First was Canyon. Then the Rams will open up play in District 30-6A Friday afternoon when they host the Laredo United Longhorns at 1 p.m. at the Carl P. Guys Memorial Gymnasium. Sub-varsity plays at 11:30 a.m. This was a game that was supposed to be played in Laredo Dec. 21, but because of COVID concerns the game was postponed. Administrators from both school districts met Monday and agreed to play the game Friday in Del Rio.
Finally, Del Rio is scheduled to host the Laredo Nixon Mustangs Tuesday, Jan. 4, for a 6 p.m. game at Guys Gym.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
