Tigers' season ends in loss

Jaden Wright goes for two as the Tigers faced the Ridgevue Warhawks as district action continued on Feb. 21. That win led Mountain Home to face Skyview the following day.

Facing an uphill battle as they entered this year's district playoffs, Mountain Home High School's boys basketball team saw their post-season dreams end after they fell to Skyview on Feb. 22.

Going into the playoffs as the sixth seeded team, the Tigers lost to Vallivue in the opening game, 35-47. This moved them into a must-win game against Ridgevue on Feb. 21.

Gaining home field advantage by facing the Warhawks at Lloyd Schiller Gymnasium, Mountain Home jumped out to a 13-8 lead at the end of the first quarter. With 3:45 left in the opening half, the Tigers extended their lead to 12 with Ridgevue closing that gap by one before both teams ended the half with Mountain Home holding onto a 27-16 lead.

The Tigers would continue to dominate the court in the final two quarters and finished the game with a 51-33 win. That win moved Mountain Home up the district bracket to take on the Skyview Hawks at Ridgevue High School.

However, the Tigers found themselves trailing with Skyview soaring to a 53-35 win. That victory moved the Hawks to compete in the district third-place game on Thursday.

"We've had a season of ups and downs," said Tigers' coach Brion Bethel. "This team was supposed to be one that would compete for state this year, but injuries and off the court and non-basketball related issues stopped us from ever getting the team chemistry we needed to make it happen."

Throughout the season, each Tiger stepped up to help the team with all of them contributing to its success, Bethel added. At the same time, the team leaned heavily on its seniors -- Brion Bethel Jr., T.J. Cothran, Marcus Egusquiza, AJ Woodruff, Chris Wright and Jaden Wright -- to provide the needed experience on the court.

Meanwhile, the team's younger athletes, including Kevin Catlin, Nehemiah Parker and Tyriq Perry, did a "fantastic job of stepping up and providing energy, hard work and hustle," he added. "Although we didn't have the success we were hoping for with wins and losses, this group of young men were a close-knit family that truly battled for each other night in and night out. It was an amazing experience to have shared with my seniors for the last nine years, and I am very sad to see it come to an end."

"Though this ends their season, the players and their coaches should be congratulated on the tremendous amount of hard work and effort they put into their season," said high school activities director John Clark. "We are proud of you and are looking forward to seeing you in action next season."