Indees stung by Hornets in regional
Brandon Sylla of Independence/Gilmanton released a shot over an Alma Center Lincoln defender during their regional quarterfinal game last week Tuesday. (Times photograph by Andrew Dannehy)
The Independence/Gilmanton boys basketball team came out looking for an upset and it appeared possible early in the game, but the team’s season ended with a 58-40 loss to Alma Center Lincoln last week Tuesday.
The Hornets came into the game as the fourth-seed with a 20-4 record, while the Indees were seeded 13th with a 4-20 record. Though, that didn’t seem to matter much early.
The Indees scored the first five points in the game as Xavier Santillian knocked down a three pointer and Brandon Sylla scored. Santillian made two more three pointers to put the Indees ahead 13-4, but then Hornets started to buzz.
ACL answered with a 10-2 run to pull within a point. Nathan Pyka scored to put I/G back ahead by three, but the Hornets tied the game with four minutes left in the first half. The higher seed took the lead on a basket by leading scorer Jace Paul on its next possession.
The Indees tied the game again at 22 on an inside basket by Grady Meier. Paul answered to give his team the lead and start a 7-0 run that had the team ahead 29-22 at halftime.
The Hornets scored two quick baskets in the second half to go ahead by double digits then knocked down a three to make the score 36-22 with 15:30 left.
The Indees had another run as Payton Hovey scored while being fouled then made the free throw to cut the lead to 10. Carlos Montalvo drilled a three pointer to pull the team within seven with 11 minutes remaining.
The Hornets responded, however, scoring the next seven points. The Indees kept battling, but weren’t able to get back within single digits.
Santillian led the Indees with 10 points, one more than Sylla. The Indees had a balanced attack as seven other players scored in the game. Paul had a game-high 20 points.
The Indees shot about 34 percent in the game, compared to 42 percent for the Hornets.
In the first year of a co-op agreement between the two schools, I/G finished 4-21 on the season.
I/G (field goals/attempts-free throws/attempts-rebounds-fouls-points) — Santillian 3/6-1/2-1-4-10 Turner 0/1-0/0-0-0-0 Sylla 4/7-0/0-2-0-9 Pfaff 0/1-1/2-2-3-1 Montalvo 1/6-0/0-2-1-3 Hovey 1/1-1/1-1-0-3 Schank 2/5-0/0-5-1-4 Parr 0/0-0/0-1-0-0 Meier 1/7-2/4-1-2-4 Pyka 1/2-0/0-8-3-2 Flores 2/8-0/1-6-5-4
