Men’s B-ball ends on a good note
Aaron Webster
With the Mesa Community College men’s basketball team being eliminated from the playoffs, the Thunderbirds wanted to make sure they ended their season on a good note.
Playing host to South Mountain Community College at Theo Heap Gymnasium, the Thunderbirds finished their season with an 80-75 victory.
Tylor Wimbish led the Thunderbirds in the first half with 11 points and 4 rebounds.
The bench also contributed for Mesa, putting in 15 points and grabbing 8 rebounds to help put the Thunderbirds up at the half, 37-26.
Closing out games the last couple a weeks for Mesa has been quite the epic battle.
Leading at half in their last four games, the T-Birds just could not find a way to finish for the win.
As the second half began, disaster was looming again for the Thunderbirds.
The Cougars of South Mountain deployed a half-court trap that the T-Birds had not seen all year.
“It was the first time we had seen that defense all year,” said head coach Sam Ballard “we hadn’t had much practice against it.”
South Mountain went on a 13-2 run at one point that really put Mesa on their heels. They eventually took the lead 73-72.
With the air vacuumed out of the gym, it seemed like another good game spoiled.
A three pointer from the left corner with about a minute left inflated Theo Heap Gym right up again.
The T-Birds finally made their way around the half-court trap defense and found sophomore shooting guard Khalfuni Marks camping in the left corner.
“Coach always has confidence in me,” Marks smiled after the game “so I took the shot.”
Marks’ three put the T-Birds back up by one.
With a huge swing of momentum for Mesa, the Cougars could not overcome.
Mesa’s stiff defense in the last minute helped them hold on for the win, 80-75.
Wimbish was the leading scorer for Mesa with 18 points and pulled down 6 rebounds.
Jarrett Green put in 15 points and Marks finished with 11 points and 8 rebounds.
The T-Birds finished the season 17-12, 11-9 in the ACCAC.
