The boys in blue, who sat alone atop the district, took on a Cy Lakes Spartan (14-7, 2-1)  squad who was missing the 12th ranked junior in the country, De’Aaron Fox, this past Friday, Jan. 16. Lakes is not a one-man team however, as Lamar signee Nick Garth had dropped 30 against Cy Fair and 25 in the game against Cy Woods. Cy Lakes was coming off an upset win as they had defeated Cy Woods (ranked 11th in Houston) without  star Fox. Meanwhile, the Mustangs were riding high off a win against Cy Springs which was Ranch’s first win against the school in basketball since Cy Ranch’s opening.

Despite being 3-0 in district, the Mustangs were considered huge underdogs in this prime time match-up. The last meeting between these two teams ended in a 30-point drubbing with Fox and now-senior Garth each scoring 19 apiece. This was a huge game for both teams with six teams in the district sitting at 2-1 or better.

The Mustangs were able to capture and hold the lead throughout the first quarter. After six minutes of play, the Mustangs were up 10-7 and were looking to head into the 2nd quarter with a substantial advantage.

Garth had other plans and hit three’s on three consecutive possesions and the Spartans ended the quarter on a 9-0 run. Garth was the owner of over half of Cy Lakes points (10). Cy Ranch came out and dominated  the second quarter behind a great offensive effort by senior Keivion Burns to go into half tied up at 24.

Ranch picked up were they left off and continued to pound the paint. Junior Miles Simms was able to shut down Garth. That was a huge factor for the Mustangs, who ended the third quarter with a 48-35 advantage.

Cy Ranch had momentum and it didn’t seem like it would change anytime soon. However, Cy Lakes again decided they had other plans and went on a 19-4 run to take the lead for the first time in the second half with just over three minutes left in the game. Garth was able to find his shot again, unlike the Mustangs, and Cy Lakes was able to conquer yet another opponent without Fox by a score of 61-54.

Ranch and Lakes now both sit in a five-way tie for first in District 17-6A.